Compliance
Carbon Monoxide Alarm Rules for UK Landlords
Which rooms need a CO alarm, testing frequency and enforcement rules across England, Scotland and Wales.
The Landvale Team·Updated 1 July 2026·5 min read
Key takeaways
CO alarms are required in every room containing a fixed fuel-burning appliance (except gas cookers).
The rule covers boilers, wood-burners, gas fires and open fires.
Alarms must be in working order at the start of every tenancy.
Councils can fine up to £5,000 per breach.
10-year sealed-battery alarms are the practical minimum.
Where CO alarms are required
•Any room with a boiler (kitchen, airing cupboard, garage).
•Any room with a wood-burner or multi-fuel stove.
•Any room with a gas fire, back boiler or open fire.
•Any room with a fixed oil-burning appliance.
•Not required for gas cookers.
What counts as a compliant alarm
The alarm must meet BS EN 50291, be positioned per the manufacturer's instructions (typically 1–3m from the appliance and at head height), and be in working order at the start of every tenancy.
Penalties and enforcement
A missing CO alarm is one of the easiest breaches for a council to prove and one of the fastest civil penalties to issue — up to £5,000 per property.
Tracking CO coverage across the portfolio
Landvale tags every appliance to a room, checks that a CO alarm is registered against every qualifying room, and prompts you at tenancy start with a photo-evidence request.
Pillar guide
The Complete UK Landlord Compliance Guide
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Frequently asked questions
No — gas cookers are specifically excluded, though a nearby alarm is still good practice in a small kitchen.
