Smoke & CO Alarm Installation in Merton

The regulations do not specify a particular type, but the alarm must be in working order at the start of each tenancy. Mains-powered alarms with battery backup are recommended for reliability and longevity, as battery-only alarms require more frequent replacement. Interlinked alarms (where one sounding triggers all alarms in the property) provide the best protection and are increasingly expected by local authorities for HMO licensing. The alarm must comply with BS EN 14604 (smoke alarms) or BS EN 50291 (CO alarms).

At least one smoke alarm must be installed on each storey that contains a room used as living accommodation — ideally on the ceiling in the hallway or landing. A carbon monoxide alarm must be in any room containing a fixed combustion appliance such as a gas boiler, gas fire, wood-burning stove, or oil-fired heater. Gas cookers are explicitly excluded. CO alarms should be positioned at head height on a wall or on the ceiling, between 1 and 3 metres from the appliance. Alarms should not be placed in kitchens (to avoid false alarms from cooking) or bathrooms.

The 2022 amendment extended the duty to apply to all relevant tenancies, not just at the start of a new tenancy. Landlords must ensure alarms are installed and in working order during any existing tenancy, not only when a new tenant moves in. This was a significant change from the original 2015 regulations, which only required compliance at the start of a tenancy.

The local housing authority can serve a remedial notice requiring the landlord to install alarms within 28 days. If the landlord fails to comply, the authority can arrange installation itself and impose a penalty charge of up to £5,000. The penalty is per offence — so a landlord with multiple non-compliant properties could face multiple fines. There is a right of appeal to the First-tier Tribunal against a penalty charge notice.

The landlord must ensure alarms are in working order at the start of each tenancy. During the tenancy, the tenant is generally expected to test alarms regularly and replace batteries in battery-operated alarms. However, if an alarm is faulty or reaches the end of its life (typically 10 years for smoke alarms, 5–7 years for CO alarms), the landlord is responsible for replacement. For HMO licensing, the landlord usually retains ongoing responsibility for alarm maintenance throughout the tenancy.

Merton Council operates Additional HMO Licensing in parts of the borough, particularly covering wards in Mitcham and Colliers Wood. Landlords in these areas must hold a licence and meet conditions relating to fire safety, electrical safety, and general property standards. Properties in Wimbledon's conservation areas may face additional planning considerations when installing fire safety equipment or making energy efficiency improvements. The general legal requirements for smoke & co alarm installation apply across England, but London Borough of Merton may have additional conditions attached to property licences or local enforcement priorities that affect how the requirements are applied in practice.

Merton is a suburban borough in South West London, known for Wimbledon. The housing stock includes Edwardian and inter-war houses in Wimbledon Village and Raynes Park, 1930s semis across Morden and Mitcham, and post-war council housing. There are some modern developments near Wimbledon town centre and Colliers Wood. The borough has a smaller but growing HMO and private rented sector, concentrated mainly in the Mitcham and Colliers Wood areas. Common property types that require this service include Edwardian houses in Wimbledon, 1930s semi-detached homes, post-war council housing in Mitcham, small modern apartment blocks. The specific requirements depend on the property type, tenure, and how the building is used.