Every private landlord in England must fit smoke alarms and, where there is a fixed combustion appliance, carbon monoxide alarms, and check they work when each tenancy starts. The rules are short but easy to get wrong, especially in HMOs and in Wales and Scotland, which have their own stricter standards. This guide sets out exactly what you must do, what councils can fine you, and how to prove you complied.
Key takeaways
- At least one smoke alarm on every storey with a room used as living accommodation.
- A carbon monoxide alarm in every room used as living accommodation with a fixed combustion appliance, except gas cookers.
- Check all alarms work on the day each new tenancy begins, and repair or replace faulty alarms once you are told.
- Councils can fine up to £5,000 per breach.
- HMO licences, building regulations, Wales and Scotland can require more, such as mains-wired interlinked alarms.
The rules in England
The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015, as amended from 1 October 2022, apply to most private and social tenancies. Landlords must:
| Duty | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Smoke alarm on every storey | At least one per floor that has a room used as living accommodation, including bathrooms and hallways. A landing or hallway ceiling is the usual spot. |
| CO alarm by combustion appliances | In any room used as living accommodation with a boiler, gas fire, wood burner or oil heater. Gas cookers are exempt. |
| Check at the start of each tenancy | Test every alarm on the day the tenancy begins, and record it. |
| Repair when told | Repair or replace an alarm as soon as reasonably practicable after a tenant reports a fault. |
The regulations do not say what type of alarm to fit, so battery alarms are allowed. Sealed 10-year battery alarms are the most practical choice for most single lets because tenants cannot remove the battery. For product recommendations, see our guide to the best carbon monoxide alarms for landlords.
Who the rules cover
The rules apply to assured tenancies (including all tenancies converted on 1 May 2026), regulated tenancies and licences to occupy, and to social landlords since 2022. They do not apply to:
- lodgers who share accommodation with you or your family;
- long leases of 7 years or more, and tenancies granting a share of ownership;
- student halls of residence, hostels, refuges, care homes, hospitals and hospices.
Licensed HMOs are covered by their licence conditions and fire safety rules instead, which usually go further.
When you need more than the minimum
Single let, England
Battery alarms allowed: smoke on every storey, CO by combustion appliances
HMO
Usually mains-wired interlinked smoke detection, often with heat detectors in kitchens, as set by the licence and the council’s fire safety guidance
New appliance or building work
Building regulations require a mains-wired CO alarm when a new combustion appliance is fitted, and mains-wired smoke alarms in new builds and major conversions
Wales and Scotland
Wales: mains-powered interlinked smoke alarms on every storey. Scotland: interlinked smoke and heat alarms, plus CO alarms
For HMOs, councils generally follow the LACORS fire safety guidance, which sets the grade and category of alarm system by the size and layout of the property. Check your licence conditions before buying anything.
Where to fit alarms
- Smoke alarms: on the ceiling of the hallway and landing on each floor, ideally near the centre and at least 300mm from walls and light fittings. Avoid kitchens and bathrooms, where steam and cooking cause false alarms; use a heat alarm in a kitchen if you want cover there.
- CO alarms: in the same room as the appliance, 1 to 3 metres away, either on the ceiling or high on a wall, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Penalties
If a council believes you have breached the regulations, it serves a remedial notice. You then have 28 days to comply. If you do not, the council can fit the alarms itself, recover the cost, and impose a civil penalty of up to £5,000. Missing alarms also count against you in any fire safety or fitness-for-habitation case.
How to prove you complied
- Test each alarm on move-in day in front of the tenant if possible.
- Record it in the check-in inventory, with the alarm location and a photo, and ask the tenant to sign.
- Keep a log of the make, model, installation date and expiry date of each alarm.
- Ask tenants to test monthly and report faults, and include this in your tenant handbook.
- Test alarms again at each routine inspection.
The Property Inspection Kit includes check-in and routine inspection forms with an alarm section. See also our guides to gas safety certificates and electrical safety inspections.
Written by The Landlords Portal Team and checked against GOV.UK guidance in November 2026. This is general information, not legal or fire safety advice.
Frequently asked questions
Do landlords have to provide smoke alarms?
Yes. In England, at least one smoke alarm must be fitted on every storey with a room used as living accommodation.
Can landlords use battery smoke alarms?
In England, yes, for most single lets. HMO licences, building work, Wales and Scotland can require mains-wired or interlinked alarms.
Who is responsible for testing smoke alarms?
The landlord must check alarms work on the first day of each tenancy. After that, tenants should test them regularly and report faults, and the landlord must repair or replace faulty alarms.
What is the fine for not having smoke alarms?
Up to £5,000 if you fail to comply with a council’s remedial notice within 28 days.
Template pack from Landlords Portal
Run every inspection properly: the Property Inspection Kit
Dated evidence of the property's condition protects you in repair, damp and deposit disputes. This kit gives you every document for an inspection, written for landlords in England.
- 24-hour notice letter and tenant repair report form
- Room-by-room checklist, inspection report and photo log
- Follow-up letters, plus an Excel tracker for gas safety, EICR and EPC dates
