Consultation launches on plans to extend carbon monoxide regulations

Private landlords in England will be required to install a carbon monoxide alarm in any room that has a fixed combustion appliance, such as a gas boiler or wood burner, under proposals unveiled in a new Government consultation.

Under the plans, which exclude gas cookers, landlords will also be required to ensure each prescribed alarm is in proper working order on the first day of every new tenancy, and repair or replace alarms if they are reported as faulty during the tenancy.

Landlords in England are already required to have a carbon monoxide alarm in any room that contains a solid fuel burning appliance, such as a coal fire or wood burning stove.

This has been a legal requirement since 1^st October 2015, when the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations came into force, and failure to comply with this can lead to a civil penalty of up to £5000 being imposed. Government guidance also encourages landlords to ensure that working carbon monoxide alarms are installed in all rooms with gas appliances.

The NRLA sits on the Government Review of Carbon Monoxide Alarm Requirements Working Group, and the association will be responding to this consultation.

• View the consultation and share your thoughts.
• Interested in learning more about carbon monoxide alarm requirements for landlords? Read the NRLA’s guidance for members on this subject here
• The NRLA run a fire safety eLearning course for landlords. To sign up click here.