The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 mean that a landlord renting a property under and Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement is responsible to ensure that there are adequate smoke and carbon monoxide detection in any property they let.
A landlord must;
- Ensure at least one smoke alarm is equipped on each storey of the property they rent where there is a room used as living accommodation.
- Ensure a carbon monoxide alarm is equipped in any room used as living accommodation which contains a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers).
- Ensure smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are repaired or replaced once informed and found that they are faulty.
A tenant is responsible to;
- Test these alarms regularly and replace any batteries if the alarms are not working.
- If the alarms are still not working after batteries have been replaced, they are responsible to report any alarms that are not working to me as soon as they discover them.
To make sure your tenants understand their responsibilities and you evidence you have complied with the regulations it is best to provide a written record.