Fire and smoke alarms: the law

Who is responsible for meeting the standards and cost  

Homeowners and landlords   

Installing fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and paying for them is the responsibility of the homeowner or landlord. 

The cost for an average three-bedroom house which needs three smoke alarms, one heat alarm and one carbon monoxide detector is around £220. This is if you fit the alarm yourself. There will be an extra cost if you get an electrician to fit them for you. 

Help and support to install alarms for older and disabled homeowners  

For lower income elderly or disabled homeowners, you may be able to access support from Care and Repair Scotland.   

Contact your local Care and Repair service for more information.   

If you rent from a council or housing association  

If you rent your home from a council or housing association your landlord is responsible for ensuring interlinked fire alarms are in place.  

Speak to your landlord if you are waiting for interlinked fire alarms to be installed.  

If you have shared ownership (housing association)   

If you share ownership of your home with a housing association, specific responsibilities should be set out in your occupancy agreement. 

However, in general, it is your responsibility as the proportion owner, rather than the registered social landlord, to meet the fire and smoke alarm standard.   

If you rent from a private landlord

If you rent your home from a private landlord, they must provide interlinked fire and smoke alarms.   

If you think your home is not fire safe you can apply to the First-Tier Tribunal (Housing and Property Chamber).  

Tenements and blocks of flats   

In a shared property like a tenement or block of flats there is no need for alarms in different properties to be linked to each other. There is also no need for alarms to be fitted in communal areas such as entry halls and stairways.