Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
Landlords must make sure that:
- any property occupied by tenants must have a smoke alarm on each storey of the premises where this is living accommodation
- a carbon monoxide alarm is fitted in any living accommodation room that contains a solid fuel burning combustion appliance
- they check alarms to make sure they are in working order before any new tenancy
Landlords are under a duty to install and initially test alarms but it's the tenant’s responsibility to test them regularly.
The council must:
- serve a remedial notice on the landlord when tenants aren't provided with appropriate smoke and carbon monoxide provisions within 21 days of determination (the remedial notice means appropriate alarms must be fitted within 28 days)
- carry out the works if the landlord fails to meet the requirements of the remedial notice (the works can only be carried out by an authorised officer with the occupier's consent)
When there are reasonable grounds to think the landlord hasn't complied with the remedial notice we'll issue a penalty charge