Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm rules for landlords in England

In short: most private and social landlords in England must provide at least one smoke alarm on every storey of a rented home that has a room used as living accommodation, and a carbon monoxide alarm in any such room with a fixed combustion appliance, except a gas cooker. The alarms must be checked on the first day of a new tenancy. Faulty alarms reported by the tenant must be repaired or replaced as soon as reasonably practicable. Local housing authorities enforce the rules, with penalties of up to £5,000 for failing to comply with a remedial notice.

Who the rules apply to

The main rules are in the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015, as amended in 2022. GOV.UK guidance says they apply to homes rented by private landlords and registered providers of social housing, unless the tenancy is excluded. For a small private landlord letting a normal house, flat, bedsit or room in England, the safer starting point is to assume the rules apply unless a clear exemption does.

Which rooms need alarms

A smoke alarm is required on each storey where there is a room used wholly or partly as living accommodation. The regulations treat a bathroom or lavatory as living accommodation, and GOV.UK guidance says a hall or landing counts as a room.

A carbon monoxide alarm is required in any room used wholly or partly as living accommodation that contains a fixed combustion appliance, other than a gas cooker. GOV.UK describes a fixed combustion appliance as fixed apparatus where fuel is burned to generate heat, such as a gas boiler, oil boiler or log-burning stove. A room with only a gas cooker does not need a carbon monoxide alarm under these regulations.

The regulations do not prescribe the alarm type or exact position. GOV.UK recommends choosing suitable alarms and following the manufacturer's instructions.

Checks at the start of a tenancy

For a new tenancy, the landlord must make sure checks are made, by the landlord or on the landlord's behalf, so each required alarm is in proper working order on the day the tenancy begins. The regulations say the tenancy begins on the day the tenant is entitled to possession under the tenancy terms.

GOV.UK says landlords are responsible for keeping a record of when alarms are tested. A practical record could be a dated inventory or check-in report.

Repairs during the tenancy

If, following a report made on or after 1 October 2022 by a tenant or their nominated representative, a prescribed alarm is found not to be in proper working order, the landlord must repair or replace it. The determination after the report, and any repair or replacement, must be carried out by or on behalf of the landlord as soon as reasonably practicable.

GOV.UK says landlords are responsible for repairing or replacing faulty alarms. It also says tenants are advised to replace batteries if alarms stop working during the tenancy, then report the problem if the alarm still does not work or if they cannot replace the batteries themselves.

Enforcement and penalties

Local housing authorities enforce these rules. If the authority has reasonable grounds to believe a relevant landlord is in breach, it must serve a remedial notice. The notice must say what duty the authority thinks has been breached and what action is needed, and require that action within 28 days.

If the landlord fails to comply with a remedial notice, the authority can arrange remedial action where the occupier consents and can impose a penalty charge. The maximum penalty is £5,000, and GOV.UK guidance says fines are applied per breach rather than per landlord or property.

HMOs and exemptions

GOV.UK says the regulations apply to unlicensed houses in multiple occupation (see HMO licensing). Licensed HMOs are exempt from Parts 1 to 5 of the regulations, because the regulations also amend HMO licensing obligations under the Housing Act 2004 to impose similar alarm requirements.

Excluded tenancies include shared accommodation with the landlord or the landlord's family, long leases, student halls of residence, hostels and refuges, care homes, hospitals and hospices, low cost ownership homes, and certain healthcare accommodation.

Related tools and guides

Common questions

Does a kitchen with only a gas cooker need a carbon monoxide alarm?

Not under these regulations, because gas cookers are excluded from the fixed combustion appliance rule.

Does a room with a boiler need one?

Yes, if the room is used wholly or partly as living accommodation and the boiler is a fixed combustion appliance.

Do heat detectors count instead of smoke alarms?

GOV.UK says heat detectors are not a replacement for smoke alarms.

Who changes batteries?

GOV.UK says tenants are advised to replace batteries during the tenancy, but landlords are responsible for repairing or replacing faulty alarms.

What evidence should a landlord keep?

Keep dated records showing the required alarms were checked on the first day of the new tenancy, such as an inventory note or check-in record.

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Sources

General information, not legal or tax advice. Checked against GOV.UK on 2 October 2026. Rules change — always confirm on GOV.UK.