Since October 2022, the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations have set out what landlords of rented homes in England must provide. Failing to comply can lead to a fine, so it is worth making sure everything is in place before a tenancy begins.
What the rules require
- A smoke alarm on every storey of the home used as living accommodation
- A carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance, such as a gas boiler or wood burner, but not a gas cooker
- All alarms checked and working on the first day of each new tenancy
- Alarms repaired or replaced once the landlord is told they are faulty
Why it belongs in the check-in
Because alarms must be working on the first day of the tenancy, the check-in is the natural moment to show it. We test every smoke and carbon monoxide alarm at check-in and record where each one is, whether it sounded and a photograph of it, so the landlord has a dated record that the requirement was met.
During the tenancy
Tenants are generally expected to test alarms regularly and report any faults. A mid-term inspection is a good chance to check that alarms are still in place and working, and that none have been removed or covered up.
Need an inventory, check-in or check-out?
Independent inventory clerks covering every London borough, with dated photos, an emailed PDF and your own client portal.
