As of 1st October 2022 the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 will come into effect.
Essentially under the new rules a carbon monoxide detector will need to be in the same room as a gas (or oil) boiler and gas fire, as well as a solid fuel burning appliance such as a wood burning stove. The rules don’t extend to a gas cooker or gas hob
Some things to consider:
- A CO monitor needs to be placed 1 – 3 meters from a gas or oil boiler secured firmly to a wall within easy reach
- If a gas or oil boiler is in a garage, loft or outbuilding the rules still apply
- Needs to be attached to a wall within easy reach in any room with a solid fuel burning appliance or gas fire
- If a tenant reports a faulty CO monitor then it must be fixed as soon as reasonably practicable
- For landlords that fall foul of the new regulations then there could be a fine of up to £5,000 so it’s important to get this addressed before 1st October
Current Regulations
Since 1st October 2015 the current regulations were introduced which ruled
- Landlords must fit smoke alarms on every floor of a property if rooms are being used to house tenants.
- Landlords must also fit CO (carbon monoxide) alarms in rooms where solid fuel is burnt i.e. coal, wood, open fires. However this does not include oil, gas or LPG ( Liquified Petroleum Gas)
- Landlords must make sure at the start of any new tenancy that the alarms are checked and working.
So there are a few changes to be aware of to meet the new Regulations, some properties will already be compliant but some will not.
If you’ve got any questions then please do not hesitate to get in touch with us on the following numbers:
Northwich Office: 01606 783599
Congleton Office: 01260 272737
