These regulations require landlords install the following alarms in their properties from 1 October 2015:
- at least one smoke alarm on every storey of their rental property which is used as living accommodation (i.e. hallways, stairs, landings), and
- a carbon monoxide alarm in any room used as living accommodation where solid fuel is used (i.e. open fire place, wood burner, solid fuel cooker).
It is the landlord’s responsibility to ensure smoke & CO alarms are fitted where required and working correctly.
The landlord must make sure the alarms are in working order at the start of each new tenancy. After this, the Tenants should take responsibility for testing the alarm(s).
Carbon monoxide alarms and rooms with gas or oil appliances
The Regulations state carbon monoxide alarms are only required in rooms containing a solid fuel burning appliance.
Gas appliances can emit carbon monoxide but the yearly gas safety check includes a test for this so the regulations do not stipulate a CO meter is required.
Further information and a copy of the 2015 Regulations can be found at HM GOV.uk
Disclaimer
If the inventory clerk is asked to test a smoke, or CO, alarm, the only test they are able to perform is pressing the ‘test’ button. All this confirms is power is reaching the alarm. It does not imply the alarm is in proper working order or that it will perform as designed in the event of an incident.
Where the inventory clerk has been asked to test the power to the alarm, no responsibility will be accepted for any damage or malfunction as a result of the test.