In November 2021 the government announced that from 23 November 2021, Social Housing landlords will be legally obliged to fit smoke alarms in all rented accommodation.
What does this mean for the social housing sector?
All rented social housing accommodation providers are now required to install smoke alarms into each premises.
Further to this, when new appliances such as gas boilers or fires are installed, the requirement of carbon monoxide alarms to be fitted is now a compulsory obligation on social housing landlords.
Once the landlord has been notified of a faulty smoke or carbon dioxide alarm, it is now the responsibility of the landlord, or housing provider in both the social and private rented sectors, to repair or replace the faulty alarm.
These new obligations for the landlord are part of the government’s commitment to drive up standards in the social housing sector, as set out in the Social Housing White Paper, published in 2020.
It is hoped that the new regulations will play a part in reducing casualties and fatalities due to fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. The aim of these new regulations is to make residents living in social housing feel safe in their homes.
The government has stated that guidance on the specification of alarms, and where alarms are to be fitted will follow in due course.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has stated that the new requirements will come into force as soon as practicable after the regulations are made.
If you are a social housing landlord and would like to know more about how the legislation will affect you, please contact a member of our Housing and Regeneration Team.
