Fire Alarms & Carbon Monoxide Alarms: Clerk’s Checklist for Compliance
- Property Inventory Co.
- Sep 19, 2025
- 2 min read
Fire and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms are among the simplest but most important safety measures in rental properties. At The Property Inventory Company, we make sure their presence — and functionality — is always recorded during our inspections.
Legal Requirements
Smoke alarms – Since 2015, landlords must install a smoke alarm on every storey used as living accommodation.
Carbon monoxide alarms – As of October 2022, landlords must provide CO alarms in any room with a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers).
Testing – Alarms must be tested and working at the start of every new tenancy.
What We Do at TPIC
When we carry out a check-in or interim inspection, we:
Test alarms by pressing the test button
Record whether they sound correctly
Note their location (hallways, lounges, bedrooms, near boilers, etc.)
Document if an alarm is missing, damaged, or not functioning
This impartial evidence protects both landlords and tenants. If a tenant later claims an alarm wasn’t present, our report provides clear proof.
Why This Matters
For landlords: Compliance avoids fines and reduces liability.
For tenants: Alarms provide essential protection against fire and carbon monoxide poisoning.
For agents: Documented evidence of working alarms reduces disputes and ensures properties remain legally compliant.
Takeaway: A working alarm could save a life. As clerks, we ensure every inspection captures their presence and condition.
Book your professional inventory / check in / check out report today with The Property Inventory Company.
Call 01435 508118 / 07428 821141 or email contact@propertyinventoryco.co.uk.
We cover Eastbourne, Tunbridge Wells, Heathfield, Hailsham, Hastings, Bexhill, Crowborough, Lewes, Brighton and all areas in between across East Sussex and Kent.
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