Smoke and CO alarm rules for landlords
Alarm rules sit alongside electrical safety rules and are often checked at the same time. They differ across the UK.
England
Private landlords must fit a smoke alarm on every storey used as living accommodation, and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance (gas cookers excepted). Alarms must be working at the start of each tenancy and repaired or replaced once a fault is reported.
Scotland
All homes in Scotland must have interlinked fire alarms: a smoke alarm in the living room and on every hallway or landing, and a heat alarm in the kitchen. A carbon monoxide detector is needed where there is a fixed combustion appliance or flue.
Wales
Under the fitness for human habitation rules, rented homes need mains-powered, interlinked smoke alarms on every storey, and a carbon monoxide alarm in rooms with a gas, oil or solid fuel appliance.
Northern Ireland
Check current Department for Communities guidance for private tenancies, and any HMO licence conditions that apply.
How alarms relate to your EICR
Mains-powered alarms are part of the fixed installation, so the inspector checks their supply circuit. A full alarm system test is a separate check, which we include in HMO inspections.
Questions
Do battery alarms count?
Book your inspection
Send the property details and we will reply with a fixed price and available dates, normally within one working day.