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
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- BS 5839-1.
- Carbon monoxide.
- Carbon monoxide detector.
- Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
- Domestic smoke alarms DG525.
- Fire detection and alarm system.
- Fire detector.
- Housing minister.
- Heat alarm.
- Interlinked fire alarm safety laws in Scotland.
- Ionisation smoke alarm.
- Levelling up.
- Levelling up the infrastructure agenda.
- Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
- Multi-sensor alarm.
- Multiple-station smoke alarm.
- Optical smoke alarm.
- Smoke.
- Smoke detector.
- Smoke detection in high ceiling spaces.
- Smoke barrier.
- Types of building sensors
- The causes of false fire alarms in buildings.
Featured articles and news
The 5 elements of seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke.
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.