24^th November 2020

New carbon monoxide regulations

Most of us are aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and the risks it poses to our health. Soon, there may be stricter legal requirements for private landlords in relation to installing carbon monoxide alarms in their properties with a recent government consultation document detailing that alarms should not only be fitted in any room with a solid fuel appliance (such as a wood burner or coal fire) but also where there are gas boilers fitted in a property. Additionally, it requires that they should be kept in good working order by the landlord.

One suggestion in the document is that the landlord checks the alarm’s functionality at the beginning of every new tenancy as well as repairing or replacing the alarm when faults are reported throughout the tenancy. Whilst landlords have been required by law to install an alarm in any room containing a solid fuel burning appliance since 2015, this new recommendation would be a welcome measure to ensure the continued safety of tenants.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is known as the ‘silent killer’ due to the gas being colourless, odourless and tasteless, so an alarm which can alert you to its presence as well as indicate when the alarm is not working correctly, is an valuable addition to any rental property.

Andrew Ward, owner of Award Property Management based in Cambridge, adds that, “whilst we know that currently carbon monoxide alarms are not mandatory in relation to gas boilers, it really is best practice for landlords to provide them in their properties to safeguard tenants and therefore we would welcome these changes. We would also remind tenants to check their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms regularly to ensure they remain in good working order and report faults immediately to their landlord or letting agent so that they can be addressed promptly”.

Award Property Management are letting agents based in Cambridge. If you would like help or advice with any aspect of the rental market, please get in touch. We’d be happy to help.