In 2020 the Government launched a consultation paper seeking views on
proposals to require the mandatory installation of smoke and carbon
monoxide alarms in social housing. On 23 November 2021 the
Government published its response to the earlier consultation paper
confirming that social housing will be required to have smoke
alarms fitted.
The consultation, published alongside the Social Housing White
Paper in November 2020, proposed to extend requirements for alarms
in both social and private rented homes and through building
regulations. The proposals were supported by a majority of
respondents and, subject to Parliamentary approval, the Government
now intend to bring forward these changes as soon as Parliamentary
time allows.
The government noted the strong support from the sector for the
proposals to require smoke alarms to be installed in social homes
and acknowledged that most social landlords have already taken
steps to install alarms to keep their residents safe. In response
to the consultation the Government agreed that it should extend
requirements to the social rented sector so that all residents
benefit from the protection and reassurance enjoyed by having a
smoke alarm, regardless of rental tenure.
The key changes will be:
● Smoke alarms will be mandatory in all social rented homes
●Carbon monoxide alarms will be mandatory in rooms with a fixed
combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers) in both private and
social rented homes.
● Carbon monoxide alarms will also be mandatory upon
installation of any heating appliance (excluding gas cookers) in
all tenures through building regulations
● Landlords will be expected to repair or replace alarms once
informed that they are faulty
Guidance relating to where alarms are fitted and to ensure
alarms meet relevant standards will also be updated and include
examples of how landlords can support vulnerable residents to test
alarms as best practice.
The new requirements will commence as soon as practicable after
the legislation is made and whilst the Government acknowledge that
a phased approach could help landlords to implement the changes,
there is concern that any further delay could impact on resident
safety and argue that process of passing the new regulations
through Parliament will provide an additional period for landlords
to comply before they come into effect.
With regard to additional costs on local authorities in ensuring
compliance the Government's response to the consultation paper
merely says: "We will consider costings relating to enforcement
provided by some respondents as part of our assessment of local
authority new burdens".
The Government full response to the consultation paper is
available on the Government website and sets out
these changes and the next steps in detail. It also provides an
overview and analysis of the responses received to each
question.