UK Landlord Forum / Life

I have been informed that smoke detectors in rented properties have to be type D1 this means that the alarm must be hard wired/ connected to the mains electricity supply and have a battery that lasts the life of the detector that cannot be removed. Has anyone else had this advice?

Who informed you? Are they misinformed, trying to bilk you, or are you talking about something like an HMO (which might be different)?

"The regulations do not stipulate the type of alarms (such as hard wired or battery powered) to be installed. Landlords should make an informed decision and choose the best alarms for their properties and tenants."

Quote from: mjponty on March 31, 2022, 04:36:35 PM
I have been informed that smoke detectors in rented properties have to be type D1...

I have found that (some) electricians have been very wrong in the 'advice' they tried to give me, which purely coincidentally would have involved more £££ work for them.

Do your own research and then ask them to back up their assertion by pointing you to the relevant regulation.

Depends where your property is and what type of property. If your property is in Scotland for example, then yes I believe you will need a mains smoke detector, interlinked with others smoke detectors too. If you have a licenced HMO I believe you will need to have mains smoke detector again, I certainly was required to. Beyond that I'm not sure it is a requirement in England yet, but I'd say its almost inevitably going to go that way.

The regulations are being introduced in wales July this year, the regulations state that smoke detectors must be connected to the mains electricity supply, have a back up battery that can't be removed and lasts the lifetime of the device and all the detectors must be interconnected, they require a smoke detector positioned on every floor of the property and heat detector in kitchen and every room that has solid fuel appliance along with carbon monoxide detectors. Minimum standard for the type of smoke detection installation is classified as D1 LD2, you have until July 2023 to comply, if you don't comply tenants are within their rights to withhold rent payments.

You did not mention that you are in Wales,which would have made a difference to the comments made in response to the question.

-1 for devolution.