Carbon Monoxide Detector Requirements for Landlords 2025 — England Guide
Carbon monoxide alarm requirements changed for England landlords in October 2022. This guide explains exactly what is now legally required, where alarms must be placed, and what types are acceptable.
Carbon Monoxide Alarm Requirements for Landlords: The 2022 Changes
The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022, which came into force on 1 October 2022, significantly extended CO alarm requirements for landlords in England. Here is exactly what is now required.
Where CO Alarms Are Now Required
Carbon monoxide alarms must be installed in every room that contains a fixed combustion appliance (other than a gas cooker). This means:
- Any room with a gas boiler — including boiler cupboards and utility rooms where the boiler is located
- Any room with a gas fire or wood-burning stove
- Any room with an oil or solid-fuel appliance
- Rooms with any other fixed combustion appliance — biomass boilers, log burners, pellet stoves
Note: gas cookers are specifically excluded — a CO alarm is not required in a kitchen solely because of a gas hob or gas range. However, many alarm manufacturers recommend fitting one in kitchens as well.
What Changed in October 2022
Before October 2022, the CO alarm requirement applied to new or first-let properties with solid fuel burning appliances. The 2022 regulations extended this to:
- All existing tenancies (not just new or renewed)
- All combustion appliances (not just solid fuel) — so gas boilers now trigger the requirement
- Social housing as well as private rented sector
This means landlords with existing tenancies who had not previously needed CO alarms may now require them.
What Type of CO Alarm Is Required?
The regulations do not specify a particular type beyond the requirement to be a "carbon monoxide alarm." However, best practice under BS EN 50291 recommends:
- Mains-powered with battery backup — for new installations, a hardwired alarm with battery backup is preferred. Battery-only alarms are acceptable but less reliable over time.
- Not past its expiry date — CO alarms have a lifespan of 5-7 years; the expiry date is usually stamped on the back. An expired alarm is not functional and will not satisfy the legal requirement.
- Tested and working at the start of each tenancy — landlords must test alarms at the start of every new tenancy.
Placement Guidelines
CO alarms should be placed:
- On the ceiling or at head height (CO is approximately the same density as air and distributes evenly — unlike smoke which rises)
- In the same room as the combustion appliance, not in an adjacent corridor
- At least 1-3 metres from the appliance (not directly above it)
- Not in areas of high humidity (bathroom) or near vents that would dilute CO before detection
Enforcement and Penalties
Local housing authorities enforce CO alarm requirements. They can issue remedial notices requiring installation within 28 days and, if the notice is not complied with, impose civil penalties of up to £5,000 per alarm not installed.
Frequently asked questions
Do landlords need a carbon monoxide alarm for a gas boiler?
Yes — since October 2022, a carbon monoxide alarm is required in every room containing a fixed combustion appliance, which includes gas boilers. This applies to all existing tenancies, not just new lets.
Is a CO alarm required in a kitchen with a gas cooker?
No — the regulations specifically exclude gas cookers. A CO alarm is only required for fixed combustion appliances such as boilers, gas fires, and solid fuel appliances. However, fitting one in a kitchen is recommended as good practice.
How long do CO alarms last?
CO alarms typically last 5-7 years. The expiry date is stamped on the back of the unit. Landlords should check that existing alarms have not expired — an expired alarm will not detect CO and does not satisfy the legal requirement. Replace expired alarms immediately.
What is the penalty for not having a CO alarm in a rental property?
Local housing authorities can issue a remedial notice and, if not complied with within 28 days, impose a civil penalty of up to £5,000 for each alarm not installed.