Private Sector Landlords are required to have at least one smoke alarm installed on every storey of their properties and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room containing a solid fuel burning appliance (e.g. a coal fire, wood burning stove).

From 1 October 2022 this law has been extended so that landlords are required to install a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a 'fixed combustion appliance other than a gas cooker'.

This means that rooms with gas fires, gas or oil fired boilers as well as coal or wood fired appliances will need to have a carbon monoxide alarm installed. 

Landlords must also make sure the alarms are in working order at the start of each new tenancy.

From October 2022 it is a requirement that landlords repair or replace alarms that are not in good working order after being advised by the tenant or their representative. This will include replacing batteries where necessary, so landlords are advised to ensure that checks on smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are in good working order during routine management checks on rented properties.  

Where Council Officers have reasonable grounds to think that a landlord has breached their legal duty, they must serve a remedial notice on the landlord requiring them to be provided.

If a landlord fails to comply with a remedial notice the Council must do the works themselves and will serve a penalty charge notice of up to £5,000 (£1,000 for a first offence in Stafford).

The law requires that the Council publish a statement of reasons that will be followed when deciding the amount of a penalty charge. This statement can be found in the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations - Statement of Principles.

More information can be found in the Smoke and carbon monoxide: alarms explanatory booklet for landlords.