Do You Need a Carbon Monoxide Detector?

If you have a fuel-burning appliance in your home, you should have a carbon monoxide alarm. Carbon monoxide is colourless and odourless, so you can't rely on your senses to detect it.

For landlords, a carbon monoxide alarm is required where there is a relevant fuel-burning appliance, although the exact requirements vary between nations.

For homeowners, Scotland has the most extensive requirements, while England, Wales and Northern Ireland don't currently have a blanket requirement for owner-occupied homes.

We’ll discuss the requirements of carbon monoxide detectors, which you can find within our interlinked alarm bundles on our website.

Do Landlords Have to Provide a Carbon Monoxide Detector?

Landlords across the UK have legal duties concerning carbon monoxide alarms, although exactly which properties, appliances and tenancies are covered varies between each nation. 

Do Homeowners Have to Have a Carbon Monoxide Detector?

The legal requirement varies across the UK, but if your home has a fuel-burning appliance, fitting a carbon monoxide alarm is strongly recommended regardless of your legal obligations.

The rules for owner-occupied properties aren't the same in every nation. Scotland has specific requirements covering homes with carbon-fuelled appliances, while England, Wales and Northern Ireland have more limited requirements for homeowners.

That legal distinction is useful to understand, particularly if you're checking whether your property meets the rules. However, it's important not to confuse “not legally required” with “not needed”. 

Carbon monoxide can be produced by faulty, poorly maintained or incorrectly installed fuel-burning appliances, and an alarm provides a crucial layer of protection in your home.

England

There isn't a blanket requirement for every existing owner-occupied home in England to have a carbon monoxide alarm. 

However, Building Regulations apply when certain work is carried out. Where a new or replacement fixed combustion appliance burning gas, oil or solid fuel is installed, a carbon monoxide alarm should normally be provided in accordance with Approved Document J. 

Gas appliances used solely for cooking are excluded from this requirement.

Wales

In Wales, existing owner-occupied homes are not generally required to have a carbon monoxide alarm solely because they contain an existing fuel-burning appliance.

However, changes to Approved Document J, effective from 6 January 2025, extended the guidance for new or replacement fixed flued combustion appliances. This covers gas, oil and solid fuel appliances, including fixed flued cookers.

The guidance provides for carbon monoxide alarms in spaces containing these appliances and in certain bedrooms or principal living rooms through which an appliance flue passes.

These requirements can apply to relevant building work in owner-occupied homes as well as rented properties.

Even where it isn't legally required, Welsh Fire and Rescue Services recommend fitting a carbon monoxide alarm where fuel-burning appliances are used.

Scotland

Scotland has a specific requirement covering homes with carbon-fuelled appliances. Since 1 February 2022, homes with these appliances must have a carbon monoxide detector, whether they are owner-occupied or rented.

This requirement was introduced alongside legislation covering interlinked smoke and heat alarms.

Appliances used solely for cooking are excluded. 

Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, existing owner-occupied homes aren't generally required to have a carbon monoxide alarm. However, Building Regulations require CO protection when a new or replacement combustion appliance is installed, excluding appliances used solely for cooking.

Separate requirements apply to private rented properties.

Where to Place Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Carbon monoxide alarms aren't positioned in exactly the same way as smoke alarms, and different CO alarms have different installation requirements.

The aim is to place the alarm where it can effectively detect carbon monoxide while avoiding locations where airflow could interfere with the sensor.

Always follow the installation instructions supplied with your carbon monoxide alarm, as the correct position can depend on the alarm design and where it is being used.

For our carbon monoxide alarms supplied by LINKD:

• Position the alarm high on the wall, above the level of doors and windows and at least 150mm below the ceiling

• Position it between 1 and 3 metres horizontally from the fuel-burning appliance it is monitoring.

• If the appliance is inside an enclosed space, such as a boiler cupboard, place the alarm on the wall immediately outside and close to the cupboard door.

• Avoid placing it directly beside a window, door or extractor fan, as ventilation can disperse carbon monoxide before it reaches the sensor.

• Keep the alarm clear of furniture, curtains and anything else that could restrict airflow around it.

Can a Carbon Monoxide Detector be Battery Powered?

Yes, carbon monoxide alarms can be mains powered or battery powered across the UK.

Unlike certain smoke and heat alarm requirements, a carbon monoxide alarm doesn't generally need to be hardwired to meet the legal minimum.

What is the Penalty for Not Having a Carbon Monoxide Alarm?

In England, local housing authorities can fine landlords up to £5,000 per breach where a required carbon monoxide alarm isn't provided.

In Wales, a property without a required carbon monoxide alarm can be treated as unfit for human habitation. In Northern Ireland, non-compliance can be referred to the local council's environmental health department.

In Scotland, private landlords who fail to meet the Repairing Standard can be referred to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland. The Tribunal may issue a Repairing Standard Enforcement Order requiring necessary work. Failing to comply with such an order without reasonable excuse is a criminal offence.

The enforcement process differs between nations, but landlords should make sure their properties meet the relevant carbon monoxide alarm requirements.

Carbon Monoxide Alarms from LINKD

LINKD carbon monoxide alarms are independently tested and certified to British Kitemark EN 50291-1, providing a solution for landlords and homeowners across the UK.

The LINKD CORE range includes a sealed, tamper-proof 10-year battery, meaning there's no battery replacement to worry about once the alarm has been installed. You still need to carry out routine testing to make sure the alarm is working correctly.

LINKD alarms can also be interlinked within the same range, either CORE or SMART, allowing you to combine carbon monoxide, smoke and heat alarms as part of a Pre-Linked bundle.

While carbon monoxide alarms don't generally need to be interlinked with smoke and heat alarms to meet the requirements outlined above, linking your alarms can give you a single connected system throughout your property.

Contact us today if you have any questions about what products would be best for your property.

Disclaimer: This information is provided as general guidance on carbon monoxide alarm requirements and placement across the UK and was accurate at the time of publication. Requirements can vary between England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, and may also depend on the type, age and use of a property. It is not a substitute for current legislation, official guidance, Building Regulations or a professional fire-risk assessment. Always check the requirements applicable to your property and location before installing or upgrading a carbon monoxide alarm system.