New CO rules for landlords come into force from 1st October 2022

Privately rented homes in England must have a carbon monoxide detector in every room that has a fuel burning appliance, from 1st October 2022.

At present, CO alarms are only required in rooms with a solid fuel appliance, for example a coal or log fire.

These rules are changing, with amendments to the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 meaning that it will soon be a legal requirement for CO alarms to also be fitted in rooms with appliances such as boilers or gas fires.

However, rooms where the only fuel burning appliance present is a gas cooker, are exempt.

While the legislation does not define a gas cooker precisely, the Government guidance states it is ‘any apparatus heated by gas and used for cooking food.’

Fines

These regulations apply to houses, HMO and flats. Penalties for non-compliance are high, and may result in a £5000 fine. Landlords unsure about the regulations are advised to read the NRLA’s guidance for members.

Wales

In Wales, smoke and CO alarm requirements will be introduced as part of Fitness for Human Habitation requirements. This will come into force when the Renting (Homes) Wales Act does, on 1st December.

Landlords in Wales must:

fit mains-wired interlinked smoke alarms on every floor of the property that will be used as a living space and;
fit CO detectors in every room with a fuel burning appliance. There is no exception for gas cookers.

New contracts starting on or after 1 December 2022 will need to have mains-wired interlinked smoke alarms on every floor used as a living space. Contracts that converted from existing tenancies must fit these by 30 November 2023. Learn more here.

Guidance for landlords.

In addition to the NRLA’s guidance for landlords, members can learn more about this and upcoming legislation changes in our training courses, including our Legislation Update eClassroom course, taking place on 26th September.

This content has been provided by: National Residential Landlords Association – www.nrla.org.uk