If you're a landlord in Newport, Cardiff or elsewhere in Wales, keeping your rental property safe and compliant is one of your most important responsibilities.

Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors are a key part of the legal requirements for rental properties in Wales. Under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 and the associated Fitness for Human Habitation requirements, landlords must ensure their properties meet the required standards for smoke detection, carbon monoxide detection and electrical safety.

For landlords, understanding exactly what is required – and keeping evidence that the requirements have been met – is essential.

At RedKey Lettings, our property management experts help landlords across Newport, Cardiff and South Wales stay on top of their property management and compliance responsibilities.

In this guide, we'll explain the current smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector requirements for landlords in Wales and what you need to know in 2026.

What Are the Smoke Alarm Requirements for Rental Properties in Wales?

Under the Welsh Fitness for Human Habitation requirements, landlords must ensure that working smoke alarms are installed on every storey of a rental property.

The minimum requirement is that smoke alarms are:

• Present on every storey of the property
• In proper working order
• Connected to the electrical supply
• Interlinked with other electrically connected smoke alarms

This requirement has applied to relevant rental properties in Wales since 1 December 2023.

Some properties, including more complex buildings and Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), may require additional fire safety measures. Landlords should consider the individual property and seek appropriate advice where necessary.

What Does "Interlinked" Mean?

Interlinked smoke alarms communicate with one another.

This means that if one alarm detects smoke, the other connected alarms can sound too, helping to alert occupants throughout the property.

For landlords, this is an important distinction from simply having separate battery-operated smoke alarms around the property.

What Are the Carbon Monoxide Alarm Requirements in Wales?

Carbon monoxide is a potentially deadly, odourless and colourless gas that can be produced when carbon-based fuels do not burn correctly.

In Wales, landlords must ensure that a working carbon monoxide detector is installed in each room containing a gas appliance, oil-fired combustion appliance or solid-fuel burning combustion appliance.

This can include appliances such as:

• Gas boilers
• Gas fires
• Gas cookers or hobs
• Oil-fired appliances
• Wood-burning stoves
• Other relevant combustion appliances

Importantly, the requirement can apply to appliances supplied by the tenant as well as those supplied by the landlord.

An Example for Landlords

Imagine a property has:

• A gas hob in the kitchen
• A gas boiler in a bedroom cupboard

The relevant requirements mean that carbon monoxide detection needs to be considered in each room containing the relevant gas appliance. Rent Smart Wales specifically gives the example of a kitchen with a gas hob and a bedroom containing a boiler, requiring CO alarms in both rooms.

If you're unsure whether your property has the correct number or location of CO detectors, it's worth checking with a suitably qualified professional.

What Type of Carbon Monoxide Alarm Do Landlords Need?

Welsh Government guidance states that CO detectors must comply with BS EN 50291.

The Welsh Housing Quality Standard also sets out requirements around battery-powered detectors and permits certain hard-wired mains-operated detectors where they meet the specified requirements.

Rather than simply choosing the cheapest alarm available, landlords should make sure that any detector installed is suitable for the property and compliant with the relevant requirements.

If you're managing a rental property through a professional letting agent in Newport or Cardiff, your agent should be able to help you understand what needs to be in place.

Who Is Responsible for Smoke and CO Alarms?

Ultimately, the landlord has important responsibilities for ensuring that the property meets the relevant legal requirements.

The property's fitness for human habitation requirements include working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

Contract-holders should report problems with alarms or other property conditions to their landlord or managing agent.

However, landlords shouldn't rely solely on tenants reporting problems.

Regular inspections and property management checks can help identify issues such as:

• A damaged alarm
• A missing alarm
• An alarm that is no longer working
• A detector that has reached the end of its working life
• Changes to the property or appliances
• Evidence that an alarm has been removed

Keeping on top of these issues can help landlords maintain compliance and protect their tenants.

How Can Landlords Prove Their Property Is Compliant?

Having the correct alarms installed is important, but keeping evidence of compliance is equally valuable.

Rent Smart Wales recommends landlords retain evidence showing that the required alarms are installed and working. For smoke alarms, this could include documentation such as electrical contractor invoices, inventory or inspection reports, Minor Works Certificates and Electrical Installation Certificates.

For CO alarms, landlords should keep appropriate records showing where the alarms are installed and that they are in working order.

Useful records can include:

• Property inventories
• Inspection reports
• Photographs
• Contractor invoices
• Electrical certificates
• Records of repairs or replacements
• Dates of alarm checks

Good record keeping can make it much easier to demonstrate that you've taken your responsibilities seriously.

Why Are Regular Property Inspections Important?

Routine property inspections aren't simply about checking whether a property is being looked after.

They can also help landlords identify safety and compliance issues before they become bigger problems.

For example, an inspection may reveal that:

• A smoke alarm is no longer working
• A CO detector has been removed
• An appliance has been changed
• An alarm has reached the end of its working life
• Repairs are required

Rent Smart Wales has highlighted the importance of inspection records, including a 2025 case where a landlord's inability to provide evidence of a CO detector contributed to a failed repossession case.

For landlords, this demonstrates why keeping clear, dated records can be so important.

What Happens If a Landlord Doesn't Comply?

The smoke and carbon monoxide alarm requirements form part of the Fitness for Human Habitation standards in Wales.

If a property does not meet the relevant requirements, it can be treated as unfit for human habitation. This can have serious consequences for landlords.

Non-compliance can potentially affect a landlord's ability to take certain possession actions, while tenants may also have legal remedies where a property is considered unfit.

This is why landlords should not treat smoke and carbon monoxide alarms as a simple tick-box exercise.

Smoke and CO Alarm Checklist for Welsh Landlords

If you're a landlord in Newport or Cardiff, it's worth regularly checking that your property meets the current requirements.

Smoke alarms

✔ Smoke alarm on every storey

✔ Alarms connected to the electrical supply

✔ Smoke alarms interlinked

✔ Alarms in proper working order

✔ Evidence of installation and checks retained

Carbon monoxide detectors

✔ CO detector in each relevant room

✔ Relevant gas, oil-fired and solid-fuel appliances identified

✔ Detectors are in proper working order

✔ Detectors meet the appropriate standards

✔ Installation and inspection records retained

General property compliance

✔ Electrical safety requirements met

✔ Gas safety requirements met where applicable

✔ Property maintained in good repair

✔ Routine inspections carried out

✔ Repairs dealt with promptly

How Can a Property Management Company Help?

Keeping up with landlord responsibilities can be time-consuming, particularly if you own several rental properties or live away from your investment.

This is where professional property management in Newport and Cardiff can make a difference.

At RedKey Lettings, our property management team can help landlords stay organised with the ongoing responsibilities involved in managing a rental property.

This can include:

• Property inspections
• Maintenance management
• Contractor coordination
• Compliance administration
• Tenant communication
• Rent collection
• Tenancy management
• Landlord reporting

Having a professional team involved can give landlords greater visibility over their property and help ensure important issues aren't overlooked.

Are Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms a Landlord's Responsibility in Wales?

Yes. Welsh housing legislation places responsibilities on landlords to ensure rental properties meet the relevant Fitness for Human Habitation requirements, including requirements relating to working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

Landlords should also make sure they understand the specific requirements that apply to their property and keep evidence demonstrating compliance.

Do Landlords Need a CO Alarm for a Gas Boiler in Wales?

Yes. A carbon monoxide detector is required in each room containing a gas appliance, including relevant rooms containing gas boilers. The requirements also cover rooms containing oil-fired or solid-fuel combustion appliances.

Do Landlords Need a CO Alarm for a Gas Cooker in Wales?

Yes. Unlike the English rules referred to in many older landlord articles, Welsh requirements cover rooms containing gas appliances. Rent Smart Wales specifically gives the example of a gas cooker or hob as a gas appliance requiring a CO detector in the relevant room.

Do Smoke Alarms Have to Be Interlinked in Wales?

Yes. The minimum requirement is for smoke alarms on every storey to be connected to the electrical supply and interlinked with the other electrically connected smoke alarms.

What Should I Do If My Rental Property Doesn't Meet the Requirements?

If you're unsure whether your property meets the current requirements, arrange for the property to be assessed and take action to address any issues identified.

For landlords who don't have the time to manage property inspections, repairs and compliance themselves, professional property management services in Newport and Cardiff can provide valuable support.

Keep Your Rental Property Safe and Compliant With RedKey

Keeping up with landlord legislation and property safety requirements can feel overwhelming, particularly as regulations and guidance continue to evolve.

At RedKey Lettings, we help landlords across Newport, Cardiff and South Wales manage their rental properties and stay on top of the responsibilities that come with being a landlord.

From property management and inspections to maintenance, tenant management and compliance support, our experienced team can help make renting out your property simpler.

Call RedKey Lettings on 01633387970 or email hello@redkeylets.co.uk to discuss how we can help manage your rental property.