Legislation information for landlords

The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 will come into force on 1 October 2022. From that date, all relevant landlords must:

1. Ensure at least one smoke alarm is equipped on each storey of their homes where there is a room used as living accommodation. This has been a legal requirement in the private rented sector since 2015.
2. Ensure a carbon monoxide alarm is equipped in any room used as living accommodation which contains a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers).
3. Ensure smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are repaired or replaced once informed and found that they are faulty as a practicable.

The requirements are enforced by local authorities who can impose a fine of up to £5,000 where a landlord fails to comply with a remedial notice.

More information (including FAQ’s) can be found on the government’s website.

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) regulations set a minimum energy efficiency standard of Energy Performance Rating E for domestic private rented properties in England and Wales. This applies to all domestic private rented sector (PRS) properties which are: a) legally required to have an EPC, and b) let on a relevant tenancy type. Since 1 April 2018, a landlord may not enter a new tenancy (including renewal of a tenancy) if the EPC rating is below E (unless an exemption applies). If an existing tenancy began before April 2018, the landlord had until 1 April 2020 to improve the property.

Since 1 April 2019, a landlord of a sub-standard property (below EPC E) may have to self-fund up to £3,500 (incl. of VAT) to bring their property up to standard or file an exemption if one applies.

More information can be found on the government’s website.

New regulations require landlords to have the electrical installations in their properties inspected and tested by a person who is qualified at least every 5 years. Landlords must provide a copy of the electrical safety report to their tenants, and to their local authority if requested.

More information can be found on the government’s website.

Mostly apply to multi-occupied, residential buildings – any premises that comprise of anything other than a single dwelling.

• The Act provides clarification as to who is accountable for reducing the risk of fires.
• The Act also adds that the external walls of a building as well as the fire doors to individual flats must be added as part of the fire risk assessment

Fire and Rescue Authorities can better identify the Responsible Person for these parts. This will clear the path for enforcement action against and/or prosecution of any Responsible Person who fails to comply with the FSO, which could lead to unlimited fines and/or criminal prosecutions.

More information can be found on the government’s website.