LATEST: Official smoke and CO detector guidance revised ahead of Autumn changes
Official guidance on smoke detectors in rented homes has been updated by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities ahead of the October 1st changes announced previously.
From that date onwards landlords will have greater responsibilities over the provision of smoke alarms within their properties and face fines of up to £5,000 for non-compliance with these new regulations, although these are very rare.
The new regulations are an updated to the existing Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015.
The biggest change within the new guidance is that landlords must ensure that smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are repaired or replaced “once informed and found that they are faulty”.
Previously, private landlords were only required to ensure they worked at the start of each tenancy.
This will shift more responsibility to the landlords to fix faulty detectors of either kind – previously this sat with the tenants who were only ‘advised to arrange’ repairs or battery replacement with their landlord.
Get ready
“The updated regulations contain some subtle but significant changes for agents and landlords working in the PRS in England,” says Timothy Douglas (pictured), Head of Policy and Campaigns for Propertymark.
“They have been coming down the line for some time, but with a firm date set for their implementation and detailed guidance now published, our advice is that letting agents start to prepare immediately.
“Agents should ensure they fully understand the regulations and begin the installation of new alarms and repair of existing alarms, and update their property management practices accordingly and without delay.
