Yes — the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 require private landlords in England to install a carbon monoxide alarm in any room used as living accommodation that contains a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers). This applies to all tenancies from 1 October 2022 — including all rental properties in Tower Hamlets, Newham, Hackney, Waltham Forest, Redbridge, and Barking & Dagenham.

CO alarms should be installed in every room containing a fixed combustion appliance. The alarm should be mounted on a wall or ceiling, at least 1 metre horizontally from the appliance where possible, at breathing height (about 1.5m from the floor) if wall-mounted. Do not install CO alarms directly above or next to appliances, in enclosed spaces, or near windows and doors where drafts may affect sensor performance.

Smoke alarms detect airborne combustion particles — they alarm during a fire or smouldering event. CO alarms detect carbon monoxide gas — they alarm during incomplete combustion from a faulty appliance. The two gases require different sensor types and the devices are not interchangeable. Combined smoke/CO units contain both sensor types and are available for locations requiring both — ideal for hallways with boiler cupboards in East London properties.

Yes — under Building Regulations Part J, a CO alarm must be installed when a new solid fuel or oil appliance is fitted. For new gas appliances (including gas boilers), the Gas Safety Installation and Use Regulations require the gas engineer to recommend CO alarm installation — most gas engineers will install one as part of the boiler installation. We carry out CO alarm installation alongside boiler installations across East London.

The electrochemical sensor in a CO alarm has a finite lifespan — typically 5–7 years from the manufacture date (printed on the unit). After this period, the sensor may not respond reliably to CO. All CO alarms must be replaced at the end of their sensor life, regardless of whether they have triggered. We recommend checking the manufacture date on any existing alarms in your East London properties.

For battery-operated CO alarms, self-installation is straightforward. However, mains-wired units require electrical work — and having them installed by a competent person provides documented evidence of compliance for landlord records. Our installation service includes a written compliance record that is accepted by all East London councils as evidence of meeting the 2022 Regulations.

Yes — we offer same-day and next-day CO alarm installation across all East London postcodes (E1–E17, IG1, IG11). For landlords with urgent tenancy start dates or HMO licence renewal deadlines, we prioritise fast installation and same-day compliance documentation. Call 07852 280 518 for immediate availability in Whitechapel, Bethnal Green, Stratford, Canary Wharf, Walthamstow, Ilford, Barking, and all surrounding areas.

Yes — all East London councils including Tower Hamlets, Newham, and Hackney check for CO alarm compliance during HMO licensing inspections. A CO alarm must be present in every room with a fixed combustion appliance. Missing or expired CO alarms can result in licence conditions being imposed or licence renewal being delayed. We carry out CO alarm compliance checks as part of our HMO electrical inspection service.