Smoke and heat alarms: what the law asks for

How many alarms a home needs, where they go, and how the rules differ for landlords and in Scotland.

The right number of alarms in the right places is a small job that does the most of anything in a house to prevent a death. The detail depends on where you are and whether you let the property.

The general shape

• A smoke alarm on every storey used as living accommodation.
• A heat alarm, not a smoke alarm, in the kitchen, where cooking would set a smoke alarm off constantly.
• A carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fixed combustion appliance, such as a boiler, a gas fire or a wood burner.
• Mains powered, interlinked alarms are the standard to aim for, so that one going off sounds them all.

Landlords and Scotland

Landlords in England have specific duties under the smoke and carbon monoxide alarm regulations, and must make sure alarms are working at the start of each tenancy. Scotland went further: since February 2022 every home, owned or rented, is required to have interlinked alarms. Check the rule for your nation rather than assuming they match.

Smoke alarm installation is listed under electrical on Halo Hive.

Book a electrician

Last reviewed 2026-09-28.