What to Do If Your Fire Alarms Don’t Work in Scotland

Fire safety is a legal priority for every Scottish renter. If your home’s fire alarms aren’t working, it’s not just an inconvenience—it could put your health and safety at risk. Knowing your rights, and your landlord’s responsibilities, will help you act quickly to protect yourself and your household.

Minimum Fire Alarm Requirements in Scotland

Since February 2022, all homes in Scotland must meet the new fire and smoke alarm standards. According to The Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 (Tolerable Standard) (Extension of Criteria) Order 2019, your rented property should have:

• One smoke alarm in the living room (or the room you use most)
• One smoke alarm in every hallway and landing
• One heat alarm in the kitchen
• All alarms should be interlinked – if one goes off, they all go off
• Carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a carbon-fuelled appliance

It’s your landlord’s legal duty to install and maintain these alarms. The rules apply to both private and social housing.

What to Do If Your Fire Alarms Don’t Work

If you discover a fire alarm isn’t working or you believe the correct alarms aren’t in place, take these steps:

• Test the alarms (if safe to do so) and document which ones are faulty
• Notify your landlord or letting agent in writing as soon as possible – email or letter is best for records
• Request urgent repairs, stating the risk to your safety

Your landlord must carry out repairs within a reasonable time, often within days for urgent health and safety issues. If your landlord does not act quickly, you have the right to escalate the issue.

Escalating Fire Safety Issues

If your landlord doesn’t respond, you can take the following steps:

• Contact your local council’s Environmental Health department—they can inspect and serve enforcement notices. Find contact details at MyGov.scot council finder.
• Apply to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber) if your landlord is failing to meet repairing standards.

Relevant form:
Name: Repair Application Form (Repairing Standard)
Use: Renters may complete this form if a landlord refuses or delays repairs including faulty fire alarms. The application lets the Tribunal investigate and, where uphold, order your landlord to fix the issue.
Official link: Repair Application Form (Repairing Standard) PDF

Your Landlord’s Legal Responsibilities

Landlords are legally required to ensure all alarms are present, interlinked, and maintained under the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 and the Repairing Standard (Scotland) Regulations 2006.^[1][2] Failure to comply is a breach of the law and may result in enforcement action.

• Your landlord cannot evict or penalise you for reporting fire safety issues
• Repairs must be done at no cost to you
• Working alarms are required for your property to be legally let

Acting promptly helps ensure your home stays safe and your legal protections are upheld.

Protecting Yourself While Waiting for Repairs

It’s important to stay vigilant and take additional steps until your alarms are working properly:

• Test existing alarms weekly (if safe)
• Stay clear of high-risk fire activities (candles, smoking indoors)
• Ensure household members have a fire escape plan

Document all communications with your landlord and council for your records.

FAQs: Scottish Renters and Fire Alarm Problems

1. What should I do if my private landlord won’t fix broken fire alarms?
   If your landlord ignores your repair request, you can contact your local council or apply to the First-tier Tribunal using the Repair Application Form for repairing standards enforcement.
2. Do all rented properties in Scotland need linked fire alarms?
   Yes, by law, all homes—including rentals—must have interlinked fire and smoke alarms as required by February 2022 standards.
3. Is my landlord responsible for regular fire alarm maintenance?
   Yes. Your landlord must ensure all alarms are in working order throughout your tenancy.
4. Can I be evicted for complaining about fire alarm issues?
   No, raising health and safety concerns is your legal right and your landlord cannot evict or penalise you for it.
5. What if there’s no fire alarm at all in my rental?
   This is a breach of Scottish housing law. Report it to your landlord, then the local council, and escalate to the First-tier Tribunal if necessary.

Key Takeaways for Renters

• Your landlord must provide working, interlinked fire alarms and maintain them
• Report issues in writing and act quickly if repairs are delayed
• Use official channels—local council and the First-tier Tribunal—to enforce your rights

Taking action quickly helps ensure your home remains safe and your landlord upholds their legal obligations.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber): Apply or get advice for repair standard disputes
• Scottish Government Fire Safety Guidance for Private Renters
• MyGov.scot: Repairs in Rented Housing
• Scottish Fire and Rescue Service: Free Home Fire Safety Visit
• Contact your local council environmental health for urgent safety issues

---

1. Housing (Scotland) Act 1987, Section 86
2. The Repairing Standard (Scotland) Regulations 2006
3. First-tier Tribunal for Scotland – Repairing Standard Applications

Categories

Tenant Rights & Responsibilities Rent, Deposits & Increases Tenancy Types & Agreements Moving In & Out Procedures Repairs, Maintenance & Housing Standards Eviction Notices & Repossessions Shared Housing, HMOs & Lodgers Discrimination, Harassment & Accessibility Utilities, Bills & Council Tax Affordable Housing, Social Housing & Benefits Dispute Resolution & Housing Tribunals Health, Safety & Fire Regulations Privacy, Landlord Entry & Surveillance Unusual & Special Tenancy Situations Renters’ Insurance & Liability Homelessness Support & Post-Eviction Help Landlord Duties, Licensing & Penalties Housing Law, Legal Updates & Case Studies Mental Health, Disability & Vulnerable Renters’ Rights Rent Repayment Orders & Compensation