Tenants in Wales have clear protections when it comes to smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. This guide explains what landlords must install, maintain and repair in rented homes, how to check that alarms meet legal standards, and what to do if your landlord does not act. You will find practical steps to report faults, request repairs, and where to find official forms and tribunals that deal with disputes. The language is plain and aimed at renters who need to know their rights, how to keep records, and when to escalate a case. If you are worried about safety or have been asked to pay for an alarm, this page tells you what is and is not acceptable.
What landlords must provide
Landlords in Wales must make sure alarms protect tenants from fire and carbon monoxide where required. The key duties are:
- Install at least one working smoke alarm on every storey to meet safety standards.
- Provide a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a solid fuel appliance (for example coal, wood or biomass) to ensure safety.
- Test and repair alarms before a new tenancy starts and maintain them during the tenancy.
- Keep records of installation and testing so there is evidence of compliance.
- Do not require tenants to pay for mandatory alarms or routine maintenance unless a lawfully drafted tenancy agreement and law allow it.
The legal framework applying to rented housing in Wales includes primary landlord and tenant law under the Housing Act 1988 and related statutes; these shape how disputes and enforcement proceed.[3]
When and how checks should happen
Alarms should be checked at the start of a tenancy and kept in good working order throughout. Routine checks are commonly recorded on a checklist or inventory and retained by the landlord or managing agent.
- Check alarms before a new tenancy begins and note the date of any tests or battery changes.
- Ask your landlord in writing for confirmation of installation and test dates if these are not provided in the tenancy paperwork.
If alarms are missing or not working
If an alarm is missing or not working, follow clear steps: tell the landlord, keep written records, and escalate if needed.
- Report the fault to your landlord in writing and keep a dated copy of the message and any replies.
- Contact your local council’s environmental health team if the landlord does not act; councils can inspect and require repairs.
- Apply to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) if you cannot resolve the issue; you can ask for orders to compel repairs or remedial action.[1]
Forms you may need and how tenants use them
The most relevant official forms and pages tenants should know about are described below. If you need to use a form, describe the problem clearly, attach photos and dates, and keep copies.
- Application to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) — use this application when the landlord refuses to complete required repairs or provide alarms; you can apply online or by following the guidance on how to make an application and pay any fee. For example, if your landlord ignores repeated written requests to fit a carbon monoxide alarm, you would complete the tribunal application asking for an order for remedial work and include copies of your written requests.[1]
- Report a safety issue to your local council — use your council’s housing or environmental health complaint form to request an inspection if alarms are missing or there is a clear hazard; include photos and a description of attempts to contact the landlord. For example, if a smoke alarm is dead and the landlord does not respond, submit the council form to trigger an inspection.[2]
- Keep a tenancy record — there is no single national form for records, but keep a dated log of tests, repairs and communications; this is the evidence you would attach to a tribunal application or council complaint.
For broader legal context, tenants should note key landlord and tenant statutes that affect remedies and obligations.[3]
FAQ
- Do landlords have to fit smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in rented homes in Wales?
- Yes. Landlords must provide smoke alarms on every storey and carbon monoxide alarms where there is a relevant solid fuel appliance; tenants should check and report faults promptly.
- Can my landlord make me pay for an alarm?
- Generally no for mandatory safety alarms and routine maintenance. If a tenancy agreement tries to shift legal responsibilities onto a tenant, get advice and keep records of any requests to pay.
- What can I do if my landlord refuses to fix or install alarms?
- Tell the landlord in writing, contact your local council’s environmental health service, and as a last step apply to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber). Keep copies of all communications and evidence.
How-To
- Test alarms and record the date: press the test button weekly and note each check in a log or photo of the alarm display.
- Report a fault to the landlord in writing: state the problem, the date, and ask for a timescale for repair; keep a copy.
- Contact your local council’s environmental health if no timely action is taken: submit their complaint form and attach your evidence.
- Apply to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) if the council cannot resolve it and the landlord still refuses to act.
Key Takeaways
- Landlords must provide working smoke alarms on every storey and carbon monoxide alarms where required.
- Keep written records of tests, repairs and communications to support any complaint.
- If a landlord does not act, use your council and the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) to seek enforcement.
Help and Support / Resources
- Rent Smart Wales
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) information
- GOV.WALES housing and renting pages
