Tenants and renters in Wales should know how smoke and carbon monoxide alarms protect them and what their landlord must do. Welsh rental properties must meet specific safety standards, including requirements for alarm installation, testing and repair. These rules apply alongside wider duties under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 and can affect social and private tenants. This guide explains what alarms you should expect, how to report a fault, what evidence to keep and where to seek help if a landlord does not act. It also outlines the role of the Residential Property Tribunal Wales and the practical steps a renter can take when a safety concern remains unresolved.
What Welsh landlords must provide
Under Wales's renting laws, landlords must ensure that rental homes meet basic health and safety requirements. Smoke alarms must generally be mains-powered and interlinked, with at least one on every floor of the property. A carbon monoxide alarm is required in each room, or in a room adjoining the appliance, where there is a gas, oil or solid-fuel appliance or installation.
Landlords must arrange the required alarms before a contract-holder moves in and must keep them in working order during the tenancy. They should also provide information about the alarms and take reasonable steps to repair or replace faulty equipment after being told about a problem.[1]
- Smoke alarms should be present on every floor and connected as required by the Welsh safety rules.
- Carbon monoxide alarms should be installed where a relevant fuel-burning appliance or installation is present.
- Keep written records, photographs and messages showing the condition of alarms and any reported fault.
Testing and reporting alarm problems
Test the alarms regularly using the test button, following the manufacturer's instructions. Do not remove batteries, disconnect an alarm or cover it because of nuisance alerts. If an alarm does not sound, is missing, is damaged or shows a low-battery warning that cannot be resolved, tell the landlord or managing agent promptly in writing.
Ask for confirmation of when the repair will happen. If the issue is urgent, explain that it affects safety and request a prompt visit. A tenant should not normally arrange major electrical or alarm work personally and then deduct the cost from rent without clear legal advice and agreement. If there is an immediate risk, leave the property if necessary, call 999 in an emergency and contact the relevant gas, electrical or emergency service.
Other safety checks
Alarm duties are part of wider property safety responsibilities. Landlords may also need to provide electrical safety inspections at least every five years and keep the home free from serious hazards. Gas appliances and installations should be checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer where the gas safety rules apply. A smoke or carbon monoxide alarm does not replace safe installation, servicing or repair of the appliance itself.
What to do if your landlord does not act
Start by reporting the problem clearly and giving reasonable access for inspection or repair. Keep the tenancy agreement, photographs, test results, repair requests, replies and dates of visits. If the property is unsafe, contact your local council's environmental health or housing enforcement team. The council can investigate hazards under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System and may take enforcement action.
- Send a written notice describing the missing, faulty or damaged alarm and the location of the problem.
- Keep evidence such as photographs, videos, alarm test results, contractor notes and copies of messages.
- Contact the council's housing or environmental health service if the landlord does not arrange a suitable repair.
- Consider the Residential Property Tribunal Wales if a tenancy dispute falls within its jurisdiction and other routes have not resolved it.
Relevant Welsh law and tribunal applications
The main framework for most current Welsh occupation contracts is the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, together with Welsh regulations on fitness for human habitation. The rules can apply differently depending on the type and date of the tenancy or occupation contract. The Housing Act 1988 and Rent Act 1977 remain important legislation in England and Wales for certain older or different tenancy arrangements, but they do not replace the Welsh renting framework where the Renting Homes legislation applies.[2][3]
The official Residential Property Tribunal Wales deals with specified residential property disputes. A tenant or contract-holder should check the tribunal's current guidance and use the appropriate application form. The Residential Property Tribunal Wales application form, commonly identified as RPT1 for relevant applications, should be completed with the parties' details, the property address, the issue in dispute and supporting documents. For example, a renter might use the form where a qualifying dispute about the condition or obligations under an occupation contract cannot be resolved informally.
Before applying, check whether the issue belongs with the council, a court or another body, and whether any pre-application steps or deadlines apply. A tribunal application is not a substitute for calling emergency services when there may be active carbon monoxide exposure.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Must every Welsh rental property have a carbon monoxide alarm?
- A carbon monoxide alarm is generally required in each room containing a gas, oil or solid-fuel appliance or installation, or in a room adjoining it where the regulations require that location.
- Who is responsible for repairing a faulty alarm?
- The landlord is generally responsible for ensuring required alarms are installed and in working order, while the tenant should report faults promptly and allow reasonable access for repairs.
- Can I withhold rent because an alarm is missing?
- Do not withhold rent or deduct repair costs without qualified advice and a clear legal basis, because doing so can create rent arrears or other tenancy problems.
- Where can I complain about unsafe alarms in Wales?
- Report the issue to the landlord first and contact the local council's housing or environmental health service if it is not dealt with, particularly where there is a serious hazard.
How-To
- Check each floor and relevant appliance room for the required smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
- Test the alarms safely according to the manufacturer's instructions and note any failure.
- Report missing, damaged or faulty alarms to the landlord or agent in writing.
- Gather photographs, messages, dates and other evidence showing the safety concern.
- Apply to the appropriate authority or tribunal only after checking the current form, jurisdiction and procedure.
Help and Support / Resources
- Welsh Government: Renting Homes Wales guidance
- Residential Property Tribunal Wales information and forms
- Welsh Government: Housing Health and Safety Rating System
- Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016
