Skip to main content
LANDLORDS: UNDERSTANDING YOUR CARBON MONOXIDE RESPONSIBILITIES

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a silent killer, posing significant risks to health even at low concentrations. As a landlord, you play a critical role in ensuring the safety of your tenants. Understanding your responsibilities is essential to staying compliant and safeguarding lives.


What is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odourless, and tasteless gas that is highly toxic. Without a CO alarm, it is nearly impossible to detect its presence until symptoms of poisoning occur, or worse, tragedy strikes. In the UK, CO poisoning causes approximately 40 deaths and over 4,000 cases of serious illness annually.
CO is produced when fuels like gas, oil, coal, or wood do not burn completely. Faulty or poorly maintained household appliances, such as gas cookers, boilers, hobs, water heaters, and gas-powered dryers, are common sources.
 

Legal responsibilities for landlords

As a landlord, you are legally required to install and maintain carbon monoxide alarms in your rental properties. While legislation differs slightly across the UK, all landlords must:
  • Ensure CO alarms are installed as per regional requirements.
  • Maintain or replace faulty alarms when notified by tenants.
  • Replace alarms at the end of their lifespan (typically 7-10 years).
 

Requirements by region

England
  • A CO alarm is required in any room used as living accommodation that contains a fixed combustion appliance. This is any appliance that uses fuel to generate heat.
  • In England, this excludes gas cookers.
 
Scotland
  • A CO alarm must be installed in every room containing a fixed combustion appliance or flue.
  • Appliances used solely for cooking are excluded in Scotland.
  • CO alarms are required where appliances are in interconnected spaces, such as garages attached to the property.
 
Wales
  • A CO alarm must be fitted in each room of the dwelling that contains a gas, oil-fired or a solid fuel burning combustion appliance.
  • In Wales, this includes gas cookers.
 
Northern Ireland
  • CO alarms must be fitted in any room or circulation space that contains a fixed combustion appliance or a flue.
  • This includes a room or bedroom where a flue passes through.
  • Appliances used solely for cooking are excluded in Northern Ireland.
  • CO alarms are required where appliances are in inter-connected spaces, such as garages attached to the property.
 

Stay compliant with Kidde

At Kidde, we offer a range of carbon monoxide alarms to meet the legal requirements in every UK region.