Landlords Must Act Now on Carbon Monoxide Safety: Practical Steps Ahead of Awareness Week

Understanding the Carbon Monoxide Risk in Rental Properties

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning remains a serious, often overlooked risk in UK rental homes. Known as the 'silent killer' due to its colourless, odourless nature, CO arises from faulty or poorly maintained fuel-burning appliances like gas boilers, fires, and wood burners. According to Propertymark's recent safety alert, landlords must prioritise CO safety ahead of Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week (17–23 November 2025).

Legal Obligations: What Every Landlord in England Must Know

Under current regulations, landlords in England are required to:

• Install a carbon monoxide alarm in every room containing a fixed fuel-burning appliance. This is a mandatory safety measure.
• Verify alarm functionality at the start of each new tenancy. Alarms must be tested to confirm working order before a tenant moves in.
• Ensure annual servicing of all gas appliances by a Gas Safe registered engineer. This must be evidenced with a valid Gas Safety Certificate (CP12).
• Provide tenants with the Gas Safety Certificate within 28 days of the inspection. This is a statutory requirement.

For landlords using managing agents, responsibility for compliance—including installation, checks, and record-keeping—rests with the agent.

Practical Steps for Compliance and Risk Mitigation

1. Audit Your Properties Now

Start by verifying that every rental property has CO alarms installed in all relevant rooms. This includes any room with a gas boiler, solid fuel fire, or wood burner. If alarms are absent or outdated, replace them immediately with certified devices.

2. Schedule or Confirm Annual Gas Appliance Servicing

Check your records or contact your Gas Safe registered engineer to ensure all servicing is up to date. If any certificates are due or missing, arrange inspections promptly to avoid compliance breaches.

3. Document and Distribute Certificates

Keep a centralised log of all Gas Safety Certificates and provide copies to tenants within 28 days of inspections. This can be done digitally for efficiency but ensure tenants confirm receipt.

4. Educate and Engage Your Tenants

Inform tenants about the importance of monthly testing of CO alarms and maintaining good ventilation. Encourage them to report any alarm faults or symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, or nausea immediately.

5. Use Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week to Reinforce Messaging

Plan communications during the week of 17–23 November 2025 to remind tenants about CO risks and safety practices. This can be via email newsletters, tenant portals, or physical notices.

Considerations for Different Landlord Profiles

• Single-unit landlords: Focus on thorough checks and tenant education for your one property; a simple checklist can ensure nothing is missed.
• HMO landlords: With multiple appliances and tenants, robust scheduling and record-keeping systems are essential to track all alarms and servicing dates.
• Portfolio landlords: Implement or review compliance management software to monitor CO safety across all properties efficiently.
• Accidental landlords: Seek professional advice or management support to meet CO safety obligations without the burden of full-time oversight.

Immediate Next Steps

• Conduct a CO alarm and appliance audit across your portfolio this week.
• Book any outstanding gas safety inspections with a Gas Safe engineer.
• Prepare tenant communications for Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week.
• Review your record-keeping procedures to ensure all documentation is current and accessible.

How Rentals & Sales Can Support You

Our landlord intelligence team offers tailored portfolio reviews and compliance audits to identify and close any CO safety gaps. We can help you implement streamlined workflows and tenant communication strategies to meet legal duties efficiently. Contact us to schedule a consultation and protect your investment and tenants.

Compliance Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Landlords should consult relevant legislation and professional advisors regarding carbon monoxide safety obligations.