Landlord Smoke Alarm Regulations in Wales

A fire in a rental property must be a landlord’s worst nightmare, posing a serious danger to your tenants. But having the right smoke alarms in place gives your tenants time to act if the worst happens.

While the vast majority of landlords take their fire safety responsibilities extremely seriously, the need to get it right when it comes to installing smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors is also enshrined in law.

The rules across the UK nations differ. In Wales smoke alarms fall under the Welsh government’s Renting Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) (Wales) Regulations, which came into force in 2022. The regulations cover a whole raft of issues that impact on the health and safety of tenants – and where to fit smoke alarms is up there as a key concern.

If you’re new to renting out property in Wales, or you aren’t sure what the new law means for landlords, we answer some frequently asked questions asked by landlords in areas such as Holyhead or Bangor.

What Rules Exist For Smoke And Carbon Monoxide Alarms In Wales?

Landlords in Wales must make sure they have installed at least one mains-powered smoke alarm on every storey of the property. These hard-wired alarms must be linked together.

There must also be a carbon monoxide detector in rooms with a solid fuel burning appliance. Carbon monoxide detectors are particularly important because this gas is often described as a ‘silent killer’ – meaning it has no smell or other early warning signs of poisoning.

Landlords are also advised to test smoke alarms regularly – during property inspection visits or if carrying out other repairs, for example.

What Smoke And Carbon Monoxide Alarms Are Required In Wales?

The landlord smoke alarm and carbon monoxide regulations include the following requirements for smoke and CO alarms:

Smoke Alarms

All smoke alarms must be mains-powered (connected to the electrical supply) and they must be interlinked to one another in properties where multiple alarms are required. There is no specified make and model as long as they meet the required British Standard (BS) 5839 (part 6).

Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Carbon monoxide alarms in rented properties can be either mains-powered through the electrical supply or battery-powered and there is no requirement for them to be interlinked if there is more than one in the property. CO alarms must meet the BS EN 50291 standard.

Heat Alarms

While there is no mandatory legal requirement to install heat alarms, but they are recommended in addition to smoke alarms. Heat alarms can be installed in kitchens to provide an additional alert for kitchen fires.

For deaf and hearing impaired tenants, landlords should install smoke alarms with strobe lights or vibrating pads to alert tenants to dangers.

If you’re unsure about the model to fit for any of these types of alarms, contact North Wales Fire and Rescue Service for advice. An electrician who specialises in smoke alarms should also be able to help you fit the correct model.

Where Should Smoke And Carbon Monoxide Alarms Be Located?

At least one hard-wired smoke alarm (mains powered) must be installed on each storey of the property and they should be interlinked. These are minimum standards. In larger properties it may be helpful to install additional alarms. Site your smoke alarms where they will be heard by all your tenants, especially at night. In most properties this will be in circulation space such as a hall or landing.

You should avoid installing alarms near to windows, doors or ceiling fittings that can interfere with smoke detection.

Around 60% of domestic fires start in the kitchen, so heat alarms for this room are also recommended.

Carbon monoxide alarms must be installed in all rooms with a fuel burning appliance (including gas boilers or wood burning stoves, for example). However, they are not legally required in rooms that only have a gas cooker and no other fuel burning appliance.

Unlike smoke alarms, which are usually placed on the ceiling, carbon monoxide detectors should be placed at a lower height so they go off before the gas has reached a dangerous level – check your manufacturer’s guide for details.

What Is A Fuel Burning Appliance?

A fuel burning, or fixed combustion appliance is one fuelled by coal, wood, oil or gas – such as a gas boiler or fire, a coal fire or wood burning stove. These appliances could cause carbon monoxide poisoning, particularly if there is a lack of proper ventilation.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can quickly cause death or injury. However, the alarms offer an effective early warning system that the gas is present.

How To Show You’re Compliant With Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Rules

In the event that there is a fire safety incident or if the local authority requests to see evidence of compliance with smoke and CO regulations, having all the paperwork will be important.

When you have your alarms installed or repaired, make sure you keep the paperwork or electronic copies of:

• Invoice from the electrician that completes the installation/repairs or services the alarm.
• Inventory and inspection reports stating that alarms are fitted and have been tested.
• Electrical installation certificates.
• Any minor works certificates.

If the fire service installs a smoke alarm, they will usually provide you with some documentation about the installation, which you should keep as evidence.

What Other Safety Responsibilities Do Landlords In Wales Have?

Faulty wiring and electrics are a common cause of domestic fires as well as other dangers to your tenants. As part of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act, introduced in July 2022, all Welsh landlords must schedule periodic inspection and testing (PIT) of electrical installations in their premises. PIT tests must take place at least every five years. Once an electrician has conducted a PIT test, you will receive an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), which must be given to your tenant within seven days of their moving in. Find out more about electrical safety for landlords in Wales.

What Happens If The Tenant Won’t Let Me Access The Property?

If you want to enter your rental property to test or repair an alarm, or for any other reason other than an emergency, you must provide at least 24 hours’ written notice.

Make sure that you explain the reason for requiring access and remind the tenant that refusing access for alarm checks is a breach of contract under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016.

If the tenant does refuse access, you should keep records of the communications and offer to arrange for a time that is convenient for them. If this does not work and the tenant continues to refuse access, you may need to consider legal action to gain access.

What Are The Consequences Of Not Installing A Smoke Alarm Or CO Alarm?

If a landlord fails to comply with the smoke and CO alarm requirements, the tenant is entitled to withhold rent for the period that the property does not meet the regulatory standard. Breaches of the regulations can also result in a penalty charge of up to £5,000.

Who Is Responsible For Maintaining Smoke & CO Alarms?

The landlord is responsible for installing and maintaining smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. However, tenants are responsible for completing regular tests to ensure that they are in working order and the landlord should demonstrate how to perform tests when completing the inventory check in when the tenant moves in.

Tenants are required to raise any alarm issues with the landlord and once reported, the landlord must repair or replace a faulty alarm as soon as reasonably practicable.

If you’re a Welsh landlord, with property in Llangefni, Bangor, Holyhead, Gwynedd or Anglesey, and you’re feeling unsure about landlord smoke alarm regulations – or any aspect of renting out property – we’d love to chat to you about your property and how we can help you meet your landlord obligations. Contact us to discuss our range of services for landlords.