Smoke and CO Verification

Since October 2015, the private rented sector has required landlords to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on every floor. Landlords must complete Smoke and CO Verification by testing all alarms and ensuring they work at the start of each tenancy. Fines for non-compliance are a maximum of £5,000 for each failure. No Letting Go will ensure you are compliant. We will check that your alarms are in the correct location, are functioning at move in and install new ones where necessary. All No Letting Go reports have a smoke and carbon monoxide safety section that will guarantee you meet the regulations.

A Guide for Landlords: Smoke and CO Verification and Alarm Compliance

Smoke and CO Verification: Is It the Landlord’s Legal Responsibility?

In October 2015, new regulations required landlords in the private rented sector to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on every floor. Landlords must test all alarms and provide evidence that they work at the start of each tenancy. Fines for non-compliance are a maximum of £5,000 for each failure. No Letting Go will ensure you are compliant. We will check that your alarms are in the correct location, are functioning at move in and install new ones where necessary. All No Letting Go reports have a smoke and carbon monoxide safety section that will guarantee you meet the regulations.

Landlord Responsibilities Outside of England

Since 1st December 2015, Landlords across Scotland must provide carbon monoxide (CO) alarms with integrated long life batteries within ALL rooms hosting a combustion appliance.

If a landlord previously provided a CO detector with removable batteries, they must replace or supplement it with a sealed long-life battery unit to meet regulations.

Landlords must install a smoke alarm in the main living area and in every circulation space on each floor, such as hallways and landings. Every kitchen must have a heat alarm, and all alarms must be ceiling-mounted and interlinked.

Again No Letting Go will report this within our inventory at the start of a tenancy to ensure landlords remain compliant.

Different Types of Smoke and CO Alarms

There are mainly four types of smoke alarm currently on the market – ionisation, optical (also described as photo electronic), heat and combined.

Ionisation: Ionisation alarms are affordable to purchase. They are very sensitive to small particles of smoke produced by fast flaming fires, such as paper and wood, and will detect this type of fire before the smoke gets too thick.

Optical: These are more expensive but more effective at detecting larger particles of smoke produced by slow-burning fires, such as smouldering foam-filled upholstery and overheated PVC wiring.

Heat Alarms: They detect the increase in temperature from a fire and are insensitive to smoke. They are suitable for kitchens but only cover a small area, so larger kitchens may require multiple heat alarms.

Combined Optical Smoke and Heat Alarms: Combinations of optical and heat alarms in one unit to reduce false alarms while increasing the speed of detection.

Combined Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms: Alarms that combine both smoke detection and CO alarm protection in one ceiling-mounted unit. This reduces costs and takes up less of your living space.

Where Should They be Located?

Smoke alarms should be installed on the ceiling in circulation spaces like hallways or landings. Carbon monoxide alarms should be placed at head height on a wall or shelf, 1 to 3 meters from a potential CO source.

How Often Should You Check the Alarm and Who is Responsible?

The landlord must check that all smoke and CO alarms are in the correct locations and working at the start of the tenancy. A good inventory company will document their placement and condition in the inventory report. No Letting Go carry spare smoke alarms and will replace a non working alarm where required. It is then the responsibility of the tenant to ensure they remain in working order throughout the tenancy. It is advisable to check them once a month.

Should I Know of Any Exemptions?

The regulations are not aimed at the following scenarios:-

These regulations do not apply to owner-occupied properties where the occupier shares accommodation with the landlord or their family.

A landlord shares accommodation with a tenant if they both use amenities like a kitchen or living room.

Landlords granting a right of occupation for a term of 7 years or more.

Landlords who are registered providers of social housing.

The relevant local housing authority enforces this legislation. Breaching the guidance can result in fines of up to £5,000.

Social Housing

The smoke and carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 do not apply to social housing landlords.

The Housing Act 2004 is the key legislation in England and Wales, identifying 29 potential hazards, including fire. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) applies to common areas in multi-occupied residential housing. It requires landlords to conduct a fire risk assessment and take appropriate safety measures.

House of Multiple Occupancy

For a one or two-story HMO with a floor area up to 200sqm, landlords must conduct a fire risk assessment. This is to determine the appropriate mains-powered interconnected smoke alarm system. CO alarms must be present in all high risk rooms.

For HMO’s 3 stories or higher – a risk assessment is required to identify a fire alarm system with an appropriate panel. CO alarms must be present in all high risk rooms.

What Will Happen If I Don’t Comply?

Landlords must complete Smoke and CO Verification at the start of every new tenancy to ensure alarms are working. Failure to comply can result in fines of up to £5,000.

Tenants are required to check the alarms are in working order and notify the landlord if they identify any problems.

The relevant local housing authority enforces Smoke and CO Verification regulations to ensure compliance.

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