Building safety and compliance works
Smoke, heat and CO alarm installation for social landlords
Mains-wired interlinked alarms and CO alarms fitted to the standard required in each nation.
Smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarm installation means fitting and testing the alarms that the rules in each UK nation require social landlords to provide. The rules differ: Scotland requires interlinked smoke and heat alarms in every home, while England requires a smoke alarm on each storey and CO alarms where there is a fixed combustion appliance.
How do we approach smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarm installation?
We fit alarm systems to the standard that applies in the home's nation, or to your own higher specification. Many landlords now choose mains-wired, interlinked systems with sealed-battery backup across their stock, whatever the minimum.
What is included?
- Mains-wired interlinked smoke and heat alarms
- Sealed-battery and radio-interlinked options
- Carbon monoxide alarms near fixed combustion appliances
- Alarm upgrades during voids, rewires and planned works
- Replacement of alarms reaching end of life
- Testing and records for your compliance system
What do we hand over at the end?
- Alarm schedule per home with expiry dates
- Test records
- Electrical certificates for mains-wired work
- Photos of installed alarms
Who is this service for?
- Compliance teams
- Void and planned teams adding alarms during other works
- Landlords upgrading to interlinked systems
Process
How does each job run?
Survey
Existing alarms, layout, appliances and power supply are checked.
Specify
Alarm type and positions are set to the nation's rules and your specification.
Install and test
Alarms are fitted, interlinked and tested, and the resident is shown how they work.
Record
Positions, types, expiry dates and test results are recorded for your compliance system.
Rules by nation
Which rules shape smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarm installation in each UK nation?
The legal duties sit with the landlord. These are the rules that set the timescales and standards we work to, as checked on 31 October 2026.
The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 require social landlords in England to fit a smoke alarm on every storey with living accommodation, a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers), and to repair or replace faulty alarms once reported.
In England, new circuits, consumer unit replacements and alterations in bathrooms near baths and showers are notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations. Notification is made by a competent person scheme installer or through building control.
Decent Homes Standard (England)In Wales, the fitness regulations require a mains-powered, interlinked smoke alarm on every storey, and a carbon monoxide alarm in rooms with a gas, oil or solid-fuel appliance.
Wales has its own Building Regulations, including its own Part P on electrical safety. Notifiable work is certified and notified under the Welsh rules.
WHQS 2023 (Wales)Since 1 February 2022 every home in Scotland has needed interlinked smoke alarms in the main living room and every hall or landing, a heat alarm in the kitchen, and a carbon monoxide alarm wherever there is a carbon-fuelled appliance or flue.
In Scotland, electrical work must meet the building standards and BS 7671. We confirm for your project whether a building warrant is needed.
SHQS (Scotland)Northern Ireland has its own rules on alarms in rented homes. We fit to your specification and confirm the requirements for your homes in writing before appointment.
Electrical work must meet BS 7671 and the building regulations that apply in Northern Ireland, confirmed for your project before appointment.
Decent Homes Standard (NI)Guide prices
What does smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarm installation cost?
Rounded planning figures with their sources and VAT basis. Your price depends on the survey, your specification and the region. Use our programme budget tool for a regional estimate.
| Item | Unit | Guide range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mains-wired interlinked smoke, heat and CO alarms | per home | £450–£900 | Our estimate: The only public figure found is about £220 for sealed-battery alarms in a 3-bed home (Scottish Government, 2021). VAT basis: our estimate, ex VAT. |
Prices checked 31 October 2026. See all guide prices and regional factors.
Questions
Smoke, heat and CO alarm installation: common questions
What alarms do social landlords in England need?
Under the 2022 amendment regulations, social landlords in England must ensure there is a smoke alarm on each storey with living accommodation, and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers), and repair or replace alarms once told they are faulty.
What is the standard in Scotland?
Since February 2022, every home in Scotland needs interlinked smoke alarms in the living room and every circulation space, a heat alarm in the kitchen and a CO alarm wherever there is a carbon-fuelled appliance or flue.
Should we fit mains-wired alarms?
Many landlords specify mains-wired, interlinked alarms as their standard because they are more reliable than battery-only alarms. We fit whichever you specify.
Do alarms expire?
Yes, most alarms have a stated life, often around ten years. We record expiry dates so your system can plan replacements.
Related
Which services often go with smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarm installation?
Electrical remedial works and rewires
Remedials from EICRs, consumer unit upgrades and full rewires in occupied social homes.
Learn more
Fire door installation and remediation
Flat entrance and communal fire doors fitted, adjusted or replaced, with evidence for your fire safety records.
Learn more
Void property works
Empty homes brought back to your lettable standard, with a clear scope, a price and a handover date.
Learn moreFurther reading: Void turnaround: fewer void days without cutting corners