New Rules For Smoke And Carbon Monoxide Compliance

New rules for smoke and carbon monoxide compliance are expected to take effect from 1st October.  In our blog, we have previously discussed whether the new carbon monoxide (CO) alarm regulations will have an impact on the buy-to-rent sector. With these proposed changes just around the corner, now is the time to ensure that you will comply with the law.

What do the new CO rules require from landlords?

Landlords and letting agents should already be aware of the obligations placed on them regarding carbon monoxide alarms and smoke detectors.

But from the beginning of October, the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) regulations will create new obligations that must be complied with:

• Landlords will be responsible for repairing and replacing alarms throughout the tenancy, not just at the start. They can no longer rely on the tenant to repair or replace the smoke alarm or CO detector, and they need to ensure that they act once they have been informed of a fault by the tenant.
• Any room in the property with a fixed combustion appliance, including gas fires, boilers and wood burners (excluding gas cookers), must have a carbon monoxide alarm.
• Landlords must check alarms are in working order on the first day of a tenancy.
• Carbon monoxide alarms will also be mandatory upon installation of any heating appliance (excluding gas cookers).
• The social housing sector will now also be required to fit homes with fire alarms and carbon monoxide sensors.

To ensure compliance with the new regulations, landlords and letting agents will need to have all required alarms and detectors fitted by 1st October when the new regulations come into effect. It will not be enough to have them ready to install.

Now is the time to prepare for the changes

Now is the time to begin the process of making sure each of your properties will be compliant by the deadline. This means not only checking that smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are working and installed as required but that you also have the right processes in place to ensure ongoing compliance.

Equally importantly, you also need the ability to demonstrate that you are fulfilling your duties.

For those responsible for block or estate management, the task of ensuring and maintaining compliance can be time consuming and complex. We have many clients who rely on our Estate and Block Property Management Services to ensure that they are meeting the range of responsibilities placed on them.

We can conduct weekly, monthly and six-monthly property visits, and our inspections include checks on a range of assets, including:

• Fire detection and fire alarm system
• Fire doors
• Emergency lighting
• Sprinklers
• Fire extinguisher
• Automatic doors

For anyone managing individual properties, our check-in services and mid tenancy services can support you and ensure changes in legislation never catch you out.

If you need support to get ready for The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) regulations 2022, please contact us to discuss how we can help you.

No Letting Go

If you would like to discuss how our local support or national network at No Letting Go could become your inventory partner, supporting compliance, streamlining costs and reducing your workload, then contact No Letting Go today.