Important update for landlords: Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to be installed by law

Landlords will be required by law to install working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in their properties, it was announced on the 11th of March, 2015.

The government advised that this will help to prevent up to 26 deaths and 670 injuries a year.

The deadline for the new measures to be introduced has not been confirmed, but they are expected to take effect from 10th October, 2015.

Do all of your rental properties have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms?

England’s 46 fire and rescue authorities are expected to support private landlords in their own areas to meet their new responsibilities with the provision of free alarms, with grant funding from government. 

To be kept in the loop on the support Hampshire and Dorset Fire and Rescue will provide to landlords, sign up for our Newsletter.

A key point to note is the requirement for landlords to install smoke alarms on every floor of their property, and test them at the start of every tenancy.

Landlords would also need to install carbon monoxide alarms in high risk rooms – such as those where a solid fuel heating system is installed.

Those who fail to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms would face sanctions and could face up to a £5,000 civil penalty.

Do you have more than one smoke alarm installed in your rental properties?