Fire Safety and Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Safety Compliance Letters and Templates
Landlords managing residential tenancies in England have a legal duty to ensure the safety of their properties through compliance with fire, smoke and carbon monoxide regulations.
Fire Safety, Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Obligations for Landlords
Under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, landlords must provide tenants with clear fire safety information, including guidance about about fire doors and emergency procedures. In addition, The Fire Safety Act 2021 and Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 set out a range of responsibilities for “Responsible Persons” to manage fire risks within residential properties.
The Example of Fire Safety Information to be provided to Tenant template is a practical tool for landlords to communicate essential fire safety instructions and obligations clearly to tenants. Landlords should also refer to the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 Summary for guidance on compliance requirements.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Legislation including the Housing Act 2004, the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015, and the Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 requires landlords to:
- Install a smoke alarm on every storey of the property containing living accommodation;
- Install a carbon monoxide alarm in rooms containing solid fuel-burning appliances (e.g. wood-burning stove), or certain gas appliances;
- Test all alarms at the start of each tenancy and provide tenants with confirmation that the alarms installed are installed and working.
The Landlord’s Letter Confirming Smoke Alarm Testing is a useful document for landlords to formally notify tenants and maintain evidence of compliance.
Why Use These Templates
Using these fire, smoke, and carbon monoxide safety templates allows landlords to:
- Maintain accurate and organised safety records;
- Demonstrate full compliance with current fire and safety legislation
- Provide tenants with clear, legally compliant safety information
- Reduce risk of enforcement action, penalties, or tenant claims
Select from the list below:
- Letter to Tenant Regarding Smoke Alarm Testing
- Landlord’s Letter to Tenant Regarding Repairs to Smoke Alarms (England)
- Example of Fire Safety Information to be provided to Tenant
- Letter to Tenant Providing Fire Safety Instructions & Fire Door Instructions (England)
- Letter to Lessee who owns flat front fire door requiring works to be fire compliant
- Letter to Tenant of building 11 metres & above that annual flat fire door check carried out
- Warning letter to tenant of building 11 metres or above of annual check of flat fire door
Fire Safety and Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Safety Compliance Letters and Templates is part of Property. Just £38.50 + VAT provides unlimited downloads from Property for 1 year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fire safety information requirements depend on the type of property and the duties that apply. Landlords should ensure tenants receive appropriate fire safety information, including how to report safety concerns, relevant fire precautions and any instructions that apply to the building. For blocks of flats and buildings with communal areas, additional duties may apply, including information about fire doors, evacuations procedures and common area fire safety. Where the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to common parts, the responsible person must also carry out a fire risk assessment. The example fire safety information template here helps you meet the disclosure duty.
Under the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 (as amended), landlords must provide at least one working smoke alarm on each storey of a property used wholly or partly as living accommodation. A carbon monoxide alarm must be installed in any room containing a fixed combustion appliance, such a gas boiler, solid fuel appliance or oil-fired appliance. Gas cookers are not included within this requirement, although landlords may choose to provide additional alarms as a safety measure. Landlords must ensure alarms are working at the start of each new tenancy and keep evidence that these checks have been completed. Tenants should also be advised to test alarms regularly and report any faults promptly.
You must repair or replace it as soon as reasonably practicable once the tenant tells you it is faulty. Since the 2022 amendment this ongoing duty sits with the landlord, not the tenant. Keep a note of the report and what you did. A council can serve a remedial notice for a breach and impose a fine of up to 5,000 pounds if you fail to act.