East Suffolk Council
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
As of 1 October 2022, landlords must ensure that any rented property has an appropriate number of smoke and/or carbon monoxide alarms.
There should be a minimum of one smoke alarm on each floor of the property. A battery-operated smoke alarm is acceptable however we would recommend an alarm with ‘sealed for life’ batteries rather than alarms with replaceable batteries.
A carbon monoxide alarm should be installed in every room which is used as living accommodation containing a fixed combustion device (such as open fire, solid fuel stove or boiler, excluding gas cookers).
Landlords should make an informed decision and choose the type of carbon monoxide alarms based on the needs of their building and their tenants, and that those alarms are compliant with British Standards BS 50291. Where battery powered alarms are selected, alarms with ‘sealed for life’ batteries rather than alarms with replaceable batteries are the better option.
Landlords should follow the individual manufacturer’s instructions when installing the alarms. However, in general, carbon monoxide alarms should be positioned at head height, either on a wall or shelf, approximately 1-3 metres away from a potential source of carbon monoxide.
We would also recommend that these standards be applied to all residential properties. It is recommended by the Fire and Rescue Service that tenants test smoke alarms weekly.
Landlords should also ensure smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are repaired or replaced once informed and found that they are faulty.
What if I do not have an alarm?
If there are no or an insufficient number of smoke alarms or Carbon Monoxide Detectors in the property, as required by the regulations or they were not working at the start of a tenancy or licence, the council must then take action to ensure your landlord remedies the situation.