Smoke & CO alarms for Scotland landlords
Landlords must provide working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms in line with their nation’s rules, and make sure they work at the start of each tenancy.
Checked at each new tenancy (tracked annually)
All four UK nations
Good practice
Why it matters
Local authorities can require remedial action and impose financial penalties for missing or faulty alarms.
How to stay compliant
Track smoke & co alarms the easy way
MTD Landlord Services keeps your Scotland certificates and tenant checks in one place, with automatic email reminders before anything expires, so nothing slips through. It is built for Scotland landlords alongside your Making Tax Digital records.
Get StartedFrequently asked questions
Where do alarms need to be?
Rules vary by nation, but generally a smoke alarm on each storey used as living accommodation and a CO alarm in rooms with a fixed combustion appliance.
How often should I test them?
There is no single fixed statutory interval, so most landlords check at each new tenancy and track it annually.
Legal basis: England 2015/2022 regs; WSI 2022/6 regs 4-5; gov.scot tolerable standard; NISR 2024/123
This is general information for landlords, not legal advice. Rules change and can vary by case, so always confirm current requirements with official guidance for your nation.