As a landlord there are certain obligations to be fulfilled. You must:

·         Keep your rented properties safe and free from health hazards

·         Ensure all gas equipment and electrical equipment is safely installed and maintained

·         Provide an Energy Performance Certificate for the property

·         Protect your tenant’s deposit

·         Check that you tenant has the right to rent your property and

·         Provide your tenant with a copy of the How to rent checklist as published by Gov.uk

Part of your obligation to maintain a property that is safe and free of health hazards includes the supply of a Carbon Monoxide detector. This has been law since 2015, but the regulations were updated from 1 October 2022 with the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022. From that date, as a landlord you must:

1. Ensure at least one smoke alarm is equipped on each storey of your property where there is a room used as living accommodation. This has been a legal requirement in the private rented sector since 2015.

2. Ensure a carbon monoxide alarm is equipped in any room used as living accommodation which contains a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers).

3. Ensure smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are repaired or replaced once informed and found that they are faulty.

The requirements are enforced by local authorities who can impose a fine of up to £5,000 where a landlord fails to comply with a remedial notice.

The regulations apply to all homes rented by private landlords or registered providers of social housing, unless specifically excluded by the regulations.

For further information go to the Governments website.