Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations –It’s imminent

We previously advised on the Government’s take up of the new Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Regulations coming in for both social landlords and private landlords following consultation in early 2021. It seems the time for implementation is getting very close, and now is the time to look to prepare.

Most Social Housing providers have recently been written to confirming that the take-up will be forthcoming following an initialannouncement in November. The notification provided from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities confirms the projected extent of the Regulations including the two crucial elements:
– Installing at least one smoke alarm on every of their stock.
– Installing a carbon monoxide alarm in every room which contains a fixed combustion appliance.

Subject to Parliamentary approval, the Government wants to bring these forward as soon as possible and a could be implementing them as soon as October 2022. In addition, the longer-term burden will be maintenance and a policy for implementing this will be need to be contemplated.

The position is clear and the purpose of the notification is to put RPs on notice; action is needed now. Acting early is very important, and it’s encouraged across the board that steps are taken to identify those properties which will need works as soon as possible. Once in force, RPs could face fines of up to £5,000 per breach pending the legislation being laid. It may well be no grace period is provided for following this notification, but this remains to be seen.

It’s strongly encouraged that a review is undertaken and any properties are identified now. Action is necessary. Contact Andrew Fairman, Head of Compliance, Building Safety & Decarbonisation for any further information.

Private Landlords will not escape this either, whilst smoke alarm regulations already exist for private sector, further requirement in relation to carbon monoxide alarms for all fuel burning appliances, not limited to solid fuel.

Please get in touch if you need advice.