Government mandates smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in rented homes

New requirements for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in rented homes are due to come into force on 1st October 2022.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) recently outlined new guidance requiring smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in all rented homes. The guidance also includes the installation of carbon monoxide alarms in all rented homes with a boiler.

From October smoke alarms will be mandatory in all social housing. This is in addition to existing requirements for the installation of smoke alarms in privately rented homes.

In both social housing and privately rented homes, carbon monoxide alarms will become mandatory in any room with a fixed combustion appliance. These include clothes dryers and space heaters, but exclude gas cookers. Carbon monoxide alarms will also be compulsory in all homes with a fixed combustion appliance subject to amendments to Approved Document J. It is worth noting this is already a requirement for solid fuel appliances.

While the changes begin from 1 October 2022, transitional arrangements are expected. Further information and updates can be found on the DLUHC website.

This article originally appeared on the Electrical Contractors Association news and blog site on August 9 under the same title.

--ECA

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