Housing providers in England will be required by law to install smoke alarms in all social housing, and carbon monoxide alarms must be fitted in social and private rented properties with fixed appliances such as gas boilers or fires, the Government has announced The reforms follow a consultation, and the changes will be brought forward through the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 and the statutory guidance (Approved Document J) supporting Part ] of the Building Regulations. Social landlords will be obliged to ensure at least one smoke alarm is installed on each storey of their homes, while both social and private landlords will be obliged to ensure a carbon monoxide alarm is installed in any room in their homes with a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers). Landlords will be legally obliged to repair or replace alarms once informed that they are faulty, though testing will remain the resident's responsibility, the Government said. In addition, when a new fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers) is installed in any home, a carbon monoxide alarm will be required by law to be installed.
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