Because the UK marks Carbon Monoxide Consciousness Week subsequent week (17–23 November 2025), Propertymark is encouraging property and letting brokers to remind all tenants and householders to take 5 minutes to verify their carbon monoxide (CO) alarms and heating methods to maintain their houses protected this winter.
Carbon monoxide is called the “silent killer” as a result of it has no scent, style, or color, but only a small quantity may be deadly. Annually, tons of of individuals within the UK are admitted to hospital with CO poisoning, and plenty of incidents are preventable with easy checks and upkeep.
Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, mentioned: “Carbon monoxide can strike with out warning, and it doesn’t matter whether or not you personal your own home or lease it; everybody must take this severely. A working alarm prices lower than a takeaway meal however may save your life.”
What’s carbon monoxide?
Carbon monoxide is produced when fuels like gasoline, oil, wooden, or coal don’t burn correctly. Defective boilers, gasoline fires, cookers, or blocked flues and chimneys are widespread culprits. As a result of CO can’t be seen or smelt, the primary indicators are sometimes complications, dizziness, nausea, confusion, or breathlessness, signs that may simply be mistaken for flu or tiredness.
If you happen to suspect CO poisoning, flip off all home equipment, get contemporary air instantly, and name 999.
Propertymark’s security suggestions for tenants in England and householders that you could be want to share:
- Check your carbon monoxide alarm
- Press the take a look at button as soon as a month to ensure it’s working.
- Change the batteries when wanted, or improve to a mains-powered mannequin with a backup battery.
- Each dwelling with a fuel-burning equipment ought to have a CO alarm in that room.
- Know the place to suit it
- Place the alarm at head peak, round one to 3 metres from the equipment.
- Keep away from corners, cabinets, or immediately above sources of steam.
- Get your home equipment serviced yearly
- Organize for a Fuel Protected registered engineer to verify boilers, fires, and cookers annually.
- Ask to see the engineer’s ID and document the service date.
- By no means block air vents or flues
- Good air flow prevents harmful gasoline build-up.
- If you happen to spot soot stains, yellow flames, or your pilot gentle retains blowing out, name for a security inspection instantly.
- Know the legislation in the event you lease in England
- Landlords are legally required to put in carbon monoxide alarms in each room with a hard and fast fuel-burning equipment (akin to a gasoline boiler, fireplace, or wooden burner). They need to additionally verify that these alarms are working correctly at the beginning of every new tenancy.
- Managing brokers, the place appointed, are accountable for making certain these security checks are carried out and correctly documented as a part of ongoing property administration duties.
- Tenants ought to anticipate their landlord or agent to:
– Present affirmation that every one alarms have been examined earlier than move-in.
– Organize annual gasoline security inspections and provide tenants with a sound Fuel Security Certificates (CP12) inside 28 days of the verify.
– Reply promptly to experiences of defective alarms or suspected CO points.
– Hold clear data of all upkeep, testing, and servicing carried out. - Tenants even have tasks to check alarms frequently, maintain air flow clear, and report any faults or security considerations instantly.
- Lease funds cowl not solely using the property but additionally the owner’s obligation to take care of it in a protected and liveable situation, together with functioning CO alarms and protected gasoline home equipment.
Emerson added:
“Just a few fast checks can save lives. We’re urging everybody to take 5 minutes throughout Carbon Monoxide Consciousness Week to check their alarm, guarantee your home equipment are being serviced, and remind family members to do the identical. Security at dwelling begins with consciousness.”
