The Renting Homes Wales Act 2016 - Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Published May 18 2022
3 minute read
The Renting Homes (Wales) Act requirements for carbon monoxide alarms falls under the Fitness for Human Habitation standards. 

Carbon monoxide is a gas, produced when carbon based fuel is burnt without enough oxygen. You cannot see, smell or taste it but it can injure and kill quickly. 
Not only is it responsible for a considerable number of deaths and poisonings each year; many people are likely to be affected by carbon monoxide without realising it.
Combustion appliances such as boilers, gas and open fires, heaters and stoves fuelled by solid fuel, oil or gas all have the potential to cause CO poisoning if they are poorly installed, poorly maintained or incorrectly used. Particularly where there is inadequate (or lack of) proper ventilation, flues and chimneys.

What are the requirements?

The FFHH Regulations require a landlord to ensure that a carbon monoxide alarm is present in any room which has a gas, oil or solid fuel burning appliance installed. Carbon monoxide alarms are essential in providing perhaps the only warning an occupier will have of the presence of carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a ‘silent killer’ and almost every fatality results from the lack of early warning to its presence.

The placement of carbon monoxide alarms should be considered carefully. Smoke alarms, because heat and smoke rise, are normally placed on the ceiling. This is not necessarily the best place to install carbon monoxide detectors. The concentration of carbon monoxide could reach dangerous levels before reaching ceiling height. As a general guide, carbon monoxide alarms are usually installed lower than smoke alarms. The guidance accompanying carbon monoxide alarms should always be followed carefully, including noting the expiry date of the alarm. Carbon monoxide sensors are usually more fragile than those within smoke alarms and usually need to be replaced more regularly.

The requirement for a landlord to ensure that smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are present under these Regulations does not replace any duties placed on a landlord under existing legislation, including the Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Wales) Regulations 2006 and the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.

How long do you have to comply?

Unlike the regulations on smoke alarms and electrical safety requirements which come into force on 1st December 2023 for converted contracts, the carbon monoxide alarm requirements apply as soon as the Act comes into force on the revised implementation date of 1st December 2022. 

More information is available at https://gov.wales/fitness-homes-human-habitation-guidance-landlords-html but if you have any questions regarding what this means for you and how Peter Alan can help you please don’t hesitate to contact me directly by email on angela@peteralan.co.uk

Rents have also risen more in Wales than anywhere else in the UK in the last 12 months and if you’re looking for an up to date valuation of your rental property either visit www.peteralan.co.uk/#valuation for an instant online valuation of your property or visit https://www.peteralan.co.uk/pages/request_valuation to request a valuation and we’ll arrange to meet you and discuss how we can help.





Angela Davey
Head of Lettings at Peter Alan
Propertymark ARLA Past President