DLUHC publishes smoke alarm guidance for rented homes

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has published guidance on requirements for smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in all rented homes, and CO alarms when boilers are installed in new and existing homes irrespective of tenure.

The key changes are:

• smoke alarms will be mandatory in all social housing (already a requirement in privately rented homes)

• CO alarms will be mandatory in rooms with any fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers) in privately rented homes and social housing; and

• CO alarms will also be mandatory upon the installation of any fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers) in all homes through amendments to Approved Document J.

Changes came into force on 1 October, and more information can be found on the DLUHC website at bit.ly/DLUHC_CO

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