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Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms compulsory from 1 October
The Regulations state that all rented properties in England must provide a carbon monoxide alarm in rooms where there is any type of fixed combustion application, such as gas boilers, from the beginning of October 2022.
Previously this requirement only applied to solid fuel combustion appliances, such as wood burners, however, they have not been extended to gas cookers.
Under the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 all landlords of private and social housing must ensure a smoke alarm is also fitted on every floor of their property where there is a room used wholly or partly as living accommodation and should begin the installation of and repair to existing alarms now to avoid being fined and breaching the rules.
From 1 October when a tenant (or a tenant's nominated representative) reports that an alarm may not be in proper working order and is found not to be, the alarm must be repaired or replaced as soon as reasonably practicable.
The Regulations only oblige landlords to check that alarms are in working order on the first day of a new tenancy. However, alarms should be tested before a tenancy commences to avoid any impact.
