UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hi, having just had my gas check done on my rental property. The inspector told me that I needed a co2 alarm fitted in the kitchen to comply with the law. I already have an alarm fitted in the living room.
The heating is gas and their is a gas boiler in the kitchen. I had one fitted, I was not going to quibble over 30 quid. But I did think the rules were that you only needed them in a rented property if you had solid fuel or open fires. Can any one enlighten me thanks.

Why have you fitted a CO2 alarm at all?

CO2 is a common, naturally-occurring, gas that's all around you, always... I mean, it can kill... but it's not something I'd bother getting an alarm for. Are you sure you've not been sold some snake oil?

You didn't buy some sea monkey eggs at the same time, did you?

Been through this one too.

I am assuming you are talking about CO and not CO2 !!!!

The Landlord certificate was changed a couple of years back and it now includes a checkbox for the gas man to ask you if you have a CO monitor/alarm.   

I got into a bit of a debate with my gas man because I am pretty sure it only relates to solid fuel.   

I dont remember a lot from my O level physics (not to be confused with CO level physics or CO2 level physics) but, I do recall that solid and gas are two distinct states of matter, and my gas supplied boiler cannot therefore be a solid fuel boiler :-)

I just think that the checkbox on the form causes confusion and unecessary hassle.

does this help
also see list on the left


http://www.indsci.com/products/carbon-dioxide/

You don't need a Carbon Dioxide alarm (CO2)!

In order to comply with landlord legislation, you need a "carbon monoxide" ( CO) alarm, which is completely different: http://www.propertyinvestmentproject.co.uk/blog/landlord-smoke-and-carbon-monoxide-alarm-regulations/

Quote from: propertyfag on September 02, 2017, 01:14:05 PM
You don't need a Carbon Dioxide alarm (CO2)!

In order to comply with landlord legislation, you need a "carbon monoxide" ( CO) alarm, which is completely different: http://www.propertyinvestmentproject.co.uk/blog/landlord-smoke-and-carbon-monoxide-alarm-regulations/

I dont think that advice is true.
You do not "need" a CO alarm if you dont have solid fuel.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/smoke-and-carbon-monoxide-alarms-explanatory-booklet-for-landlords/the-smoke-and-carbon-monoxide-alarm-england-regulations-2015-qa-booklet-for-the-private-rented-sector-landlords-and-tenants

Thanks Martha for your good advice, I did meen a carbon monoxide alarm. To all others thanks for the chemistry lesson.

Ally McCoist used to play football for Scotland ...so on the off chance 'Allybops' is also from Scotland/property in Scotland  then his gas man is right as the law is different in Scotland and requires a CO alarm must be fitted whenever a boiler, fire, heater or stove is installed or replaced.

Note in England: HMO and Selective Licence Schemes can also change the rules.

PS: £30.00?  You can buy them for £8 (with the rawl plug and screw!) 

Quote from: Martha on September 04, 2017, 09:41:45 AM

You do not "need" a CO alarm if you dont have solid fuel.

Oops, sorry, I was aware of that, I guess I should have clarified!