Carbon Monoxide Alarm Requirements for London Landlords: The 2022 Rules Explained

What Changed in October 2022

The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 came into force on 1 October 2022, significantly expanding the carbon monoxide alarm obligations for private landlords in England. Prior to this date, carbon monoxide alarms were required only in rooms with solid fuel burning appliances — open fires, log burners, and solid fuel boilers. From 1 October 2022, the requirement was extended to include any room in a rented property that contains a fixed combustion appliance. This now brings gas boilers, gas fires, oil boilers, and gas hobs within the scope of the alarm requirement.

The change reflects the recognition that gas appliances, not only solid fuel appliances, can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide when they malfunction, are poorly maintained, or are not properly flued. A gas boiler with a blocked or cracked flue, or a gas fire without adequate ventilation, can produce lethal concentrations of carbon monoxide without any visible sign. Carbon monoxide is colourless and odourless — it cannot be detected without an alarm.

What Is a Fixed Combustion Appliance

Under the 2022 Regulations, a fixed combustion appliance means any appliance that burns fuel and is fixed in position. Gas boilers, gas fires, gas cookers and hobs, oil boilers, and solid fuel appliances (wood burners, open fires, Agas) are all fixed combustion appliances for the purposes of the Regulations. A portable gas heater, such as a camping-style gas stove, does not constitute a fixed combustion appliance for the purposes of these rules, but portable gas appliances should never be used in enclosed spaces in any event.

For the typical London rented property with a gas combi boiler and a gas hob, the Regulations require a carbon monoxide alarm in the room containing the boiler and in the kitchen where the hob is located. If the boiler is in the kitchen, a single alarm in that room is sufficient. If the boiler is in a utility cupboard or airing cupboard adjacent to a habitable room, the alarm should be placed in the room or space immediately adjacent to the boiler, where occupants are most at risk.

What Alarms Are Required

The Regulations do not mandate a specific type of carbon monoxide alarm — they require an alarm that is in proper working order at the start of each new tenancy. Battery-operated alarms that meet the relevant British Standard (BS EN 50291) are acceptable. Mains-wired alarms with battery backup provide greater reliability. Many landlords prefer mains-wired combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms that satisfy both the smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm obligations in a single unit, though the 2022 Regulations require the CO alarm to be in the room with the combustion appliance, which may not be the same floor as the smoke alarm requirement.

Alarms should be installed in accordance with the manufacturer instructions — typically at a height of one to three metres from the floor, away from cooking appliances (which can produce readings that trigger false alarms), and away from air vents or windows that may dilute any CO concentration before the alarm detects it.

Landlord Obligations at Tenancy Start

At the start of each new tenancy, the landlord must test the carbon monoxide alarm to ensure it is in working order and confirm this to the tenant. The tenant should be shown how to test the alarm. Battery-operated alarms should have fresh batteries fitted at the start of each tenancy. Landlords should retain written records of the alarm check at the tenancy start date in case of any later dispute.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Where a landlord has not fitted the required carbon monoxide alarm or has failed to repair or replace a faulty alarm following a tenant report, the local housing authority can serve a remedial notice requiring the landlord to take the necessary action within 28 days. If the landlord does not comply with the remedial notice, the council can arrange for the alarm to be installed and recover the reasonable costs from the landlord, and can also impose a civil penalty of up to 5,000 pounds per property. The penalty applies to each property that is in breach.

Prestige Engineers can install carbon monoxide alarms in London rental properties as part of any boiler service, gas safety inspection, or maintenance visit. We provide written confirmation of installation to support landlord compliance records.