Smoke Alarm
Mains-powered or sealed 10-year battery smoke alarms are required on every storey of a private rented home in England under the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 (amended 2022). Landlords must test them at the start of every tenancy and replace faulty alarms once reported.
At a glance
- Law
- Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regs 2015 (am. 2022)
- Coverage
- Every storey with a living space
- Type
- Mains or sealed 10-year battery
- Test
- At start of every tenancy
Full guide
Read the complete landlord guide on Smoke Alarm
Deadlines, fines and step-by-step compliance in our in-depth resource.
Open full guideWhy Smoke Alarm matters for landlords
The 2022 amendment brought social-housing level smoke-alarm duties into the PRS. The test-at-tenancy-start obligation is active even for back-to-back relets, and the duty to replace faulty alarms once reported is an on-going one. Keep a dated inventory photo of every alarm at check-in and a repair log for any reported failures.
Official sources
LetCompliance editorial reviews this entry every quarter against the sources above. Always confirm specific duties with a qualified solicitor or your local council.
Related terms
CO Alarm (Carbon Monoxide Alarm)
Required from 1 October 2022 in every room with a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers) in private rented homes in England. The landlord must ensure an alarm is present and in working order at the start of each tenancy. Maximum civil penalty: £5,000 per property.
Section 13 Notice
The only lawful way to raise rent on an assured periodic tenancy. One increase per 12 months with at least one month's notice. Tenant can refer to the First-tier Tribunal which can cap the rent at market rate.
Section 21 Notice
The no-fault eviction notice under Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988. Abolished for new notices from 1 May 2026 under the Renters Rights Act 2025. Landlords must now use Section 8 with a specified ground.
Section 8 Notice
A possession notice served under Section 8 of the Housing Act 1988 citing a specific ground. From 1 May 2026 this is the only route to possession in England. Common grounds: Ground 1 (landlord moving in), Ground 1A (sale), Ground 8 (3 months' arrears).
Selective Licensing
A local authority scheme that requires every private landlord in a designated area to hold a licence, regardless of property type. Operating without a required selective licence carries fines up to £30,000 and can block possession.
Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)
Tax on property purchases in England and Northern Ireland. Buy-to-let purchases above £40,000 incur a 5% surcharge on top of the standard rates (rising to higher in 2026). Check HMRC for current bands.