Smoke and CO alarm rules for landlords in England
Last updated 24 Oct 2026
Landlords in England must fit a smoke alarm on every storey with living accommodation and a carbon monoxide alarm in any such room with a fixed combustion appliance, other than a gas cooker. They must check each alarm works on the day a new tenancy begins. This page covers England only.
Which rooms need an alarm
Regulation 4 of the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015, as amended, sets the duties during occupation:
- a smoke alarm on each storey that has a room used wholly or partly as living accommodation (a hall or landing counts as a room);
- a carbon monoxide alarm in any such room that contains a fixed combustion appliance, other than a gas cooker.
A bathroom or lavatory counts as living accommodation. Source: regulation 4, legislation.gov.uk.
Gov.uk summarises this for landlords as providing a smoke alarm on each storey, and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a solid fuel burning appliance such as a coal fire or wood burning stove. The regulation text above is wider, so follow the regulation. Source: GOV.UK, your landlord's safety responsibilities.
Testing on day one
For a new tenancy, you or someone acting for you must check that each required alarm is working on the day the tenancy begins. A tenancy begins when the tenant becomes entitled to possession under its terms. A "new tenancy" is one granted on or after 1 October 2022, subject to the exclusions in the regulation. Source: regulation 4.
Repairs once a fault is reported
If a tenant, or their nominated representative, reports that an alarm is faulty, and it is found not to work, you must repair or replace it. The check and any repair must be done as soon as reasonably practicable. Source: regulation 4.
Penalty
The local housing authority can impose a financial penalty. The amount must not exceed £5,000. Source: regulation 8, legislation.gov.uk.
Summary
| What | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Smoke alarm | Each storey with living accommodation | Reg 4 |
| CO alarm | Rooms with a fixed combustion appliance, not a gas cooker | Reg 4 |
| Check | On the day a new tenancy begins | Reg 4 |
| Faulty alarm reported | Repair or replace as soon as reasonably practicable | Reg 4 |
| Penalty | Up to £5,000 | Reg 8 |
Track the checks with Letbook
The law requires the check at the start of each tenancy. It does not set a yearly interval, though many landlords test regularly. Letbook is a compliance tracker for landlords: it holds a smoke and CO alarm check item for each property in England and emails you before the date you set lapses. Sign up free.
Related guides: gas safety certificate rules and EICR rules.
Sources
- Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015, regulation 4, legislation.gov.uk
- Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015, regulation 8, legislation.gov.uk
- Private renting: your landlord's safety responsibilities, GOV.UK
This page is general information, not legal advice.