On this page
Chapter 01
Placement requirements
- At least one smoke alarm on every storey of the property used as living accommodation.
- A carbon monoxide alarm in every room used as living accommodation that contains a fixed combustion appliance (such as a boiler, wood burner or gas fire).
- Position alarms according to the manufacturer's instructions — typically ceiling-mounted for smoke alarms and at the recommended height for CO alarms.
While gas cookers are excluded from the strict CO requirement in England, fitting a CO alarm near any gas appliance is sensible best practice.
Chapter 02
Testing requirements
You must ensure all required alarms are present and in working order at the start of every new tenancy. Test them on the first day and record that they were working. During the tenancy, the day-to-day testing generally falls to the tenant, but you must repair or replace any alarm reported as faulty as soon as reasonably practicable.
Chapter 03
Landlord responsibilities
- Install the correct number and type of alarms in the right locations.
- Confirm they work at the start of each tenancy and log it.
- Repair or replace faulty alarms once notified.
- Keep evidence of installation and testing for your audit trail.
Chapter 04
Tenant responsibilities
Tenants should test alarms regularly during the tenancy, replace batteries in battery-powered units where they can, and report any faults to the landlord promptly. Tenants must not remove or disable alarms.
Chapter 05
Common mistakes
- Forgetting to test and log alarms on day one of a new tenancy.
- Missing a CO alarm in a room with a wood burner or fixed gas fire.
- Fitting expired alarms — most have a 10-year lifespan marked on the unit.
- No record of installation or testing, leaving you unable to prove compliance.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Official sources
Further reading and fact-checking
General guidance: This guide is for general information and does not replace legal or professional advice for your circumstances. Check current official guidance and your local authority's requirements.