Croydon Licence Smoke Alarm and Carbon Monoxide Requirements

The National Baseline

The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 set the minimum standard for all private rented properties in England, whether licensed or not:

• Smoke alarms on every storey that contains a room used as living accommodation
• Carbon monoxide alarms in every room containing a fixed combustion appliance (gas boilers, gas fires, wood burners, oil-fired appliances — but not gas cookers)
• Test all alarms at the start of every new tenancy to confirm they are in working order

These rules apply to every landlord in Croydon regardless of licensing status. What licensing adds is stricter specification requirements, particularly for HMOs.

What Croydon Licensing Adds

For selectively licensed properties (single-household lets in the 14 designated wards), the standard national alarm rules apply. Your licence conditions require you to confirm that alarms are installed and functional. Battery-operated alarms are acceptable for selective licences, though mains-powered units with battery backup are more reliable.

For HMO properties (both additional and mandatory HMO licences), Croydon Council requires a higher standard:

• Interlinked alarm systems complying with BS 5839-6, either Grade D1 (mains-powered with battery backup, interlinked) or Grade D2 (same specification for smaller HMOs)
• Heat detectors in kitchens rather than smoke detectors (to reduce false alarms from cooking)
• Smoke detectors in hallways, landings and escape routes on every floor
• Carbon monoxide detectors in every room with a combustion appliance, plus any room where a gas supply pipe runs through

Interlinked means that when one alarm activates, all connected units sound simultaneously. This is essential in HMOs where occupants on upper floors need warning if a fire starts on a lower floor.

Floor Plans and Alarm Locations

Your licence application floor plan must show the location of every alarm head. Croydon's Metastreet portal expects applicants to mark detector positions on the dimensioned floor plan alongside room sizes and fire door locations.

Place alarm heads:

• On the ceiling, at least 300mm from any wall or light fitting
• In escape routes — hallways and stairwell landings
• Inside bedrooms for Grade D1 systems in larger HMOs (five or more occupants)
• Away from kitchens and bathrooms where steam and cooking fumes trigger false activations — use heat detectors in kitchens instead

Testing and Maintenance

Licence conditions require ongoing maintenance, not just installation:

• Test alarms regularly and at the start of every new tenancy
• Replace batteries when needed, following the manufacturer's instructions, and replace units by their stated expiry date
• Replace any alarm that fails its test or reaches its manufacturer's stated lifespan
• Keep a written record of tests and replacements — council inspectors may ask to see it

For HMOs, the licence holder remains responsible for ensuring alarms work throughout the property, including in tenants' rooms. Testing can be arranged with a manager or tenant, but the licence holder remains accountable for meeting the licence condition.

What Happens If You Get It Wrong

A council inspector who finds missing or non-functional alarms during an HHSRS inspection or licence compliance visit can serve an Improvement Notice requiring remedial work within a set deadline. Failure to comply with an Improvement Notice carries civil penalties of up to £40,000, with Croydon's policy starting point set at £25,000 for this offence.

For the full document requirements and application process, see our Croydon landlord licensing guide.

See more England guides →