The Government has announced regulation changes.

The Government has announced that the regulations for rental properties are changing. Detection alarms “must be fitted in all rented accommodation.”

People should feel safe and secure in their homes, regardless of ownership of the property. Approximately twenty people a year die as a result of Carbon Monoxide poisoning; this does not include death caused by fires in the home. With the right detection these deaths could be avoided.

Minister Eddie Hughes has announced new rules stipulating that smoke alarms must be fitted in all rented accommodation. This will make it safer for people in their homes.

This announcement by the Government means that by law, housing providers will be required to install smoke alarms in all social housing properties. The Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities made the announcement which also included the requirement for the installation of Carbon Monoxide Detectors to be fitted inside all social and private rental properties with fixed appliances, this includes gas fires and boilers.

Social housing reforms are driving up standards for social housing. The changes to the regulations also mean that any faulty smoke detectors or Carbon Monoxide detectors must be replaced, this applies both to social housing and private rental properties.

Tenants should have clear reporting channels for problems; the housing provider must provide evidence that the repairs have been completed for future reference. This will assist housing providers from potential enforcement action in the future. Dates the new devices fitting or repairs completed, must be recorded. Should the tenant then damage or remove the detection and falsely accuse the housing provider, these records function as proof of installation. This is of significance due to the costs of the devices installed and maintenance obligations falling to the property owners.

The British Standards guidance stipulates where alarms should be fitted and that they comply with the relevant standards following this update.

These can be found in Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 as well as statutory guidance (Approved Document J) supporting the Building Regulations part J. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2022/707/contents/made

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