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Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Test Record Explained | LegalDocuments.co.uk

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Written by Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)
Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice.
Updated June 2026 · England & Wales
If you let property in England, keeping a written log of when you check the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms is one of those small habits that can save a great deal of trouble later. I'm Brad Askew, and in my work across civil and commercial law I've seen too many landlords scramble for evidence after something has gone wrong, when a simple ongoing record would have made life far easier. A test record is just a dated note confirming that each alarm in the property was checked and found to be working. It isn't a glamorous piece of paperwork, but it sits at the heart of showing you've taken your tenant safety duties seriously. This page walks through what the record typically contains, why it matters, and how to keep one that will actually stand up to scrutiny if questioned by a local authority, an insurer, or a tenant.

Overview

A smoke and carbon monoxide alarm test record is a written or digital log kept by a landlord or managing agent, documenting each occasion on which the alarms in a rental property have been tested and the outcome of that test. It is not a form prescribed by statute, there is no official template you must use, but keeping one is the most sensible way to evidence that you've met the obligations set out in the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 and their later amendments.

At a minimum, the record usually notes the property address, the date of the check, the location and type of each alarm, who carried out the test, and whether the alarm passed or needed replacing. Some landlords also include the battery type, the manufacture or expiry date on the unit, and any remedial action taken.

The record can be kept on paper, in a spreadsheet, or through a property management platform, what matters is that it is accurate, contemporaneous, and retrievable when you need it.

Key steps

  1. Identify every alarm in the property. Before you can test anything, walk through the property and list each smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm, noting its exact location (for example, 'hallway ceiling, first floor' or 'living room, above log burner'). Include the alarm type, whether it's mains-wired or battery, and any visible expiry date on the unit.
  2. Test at the start of each tenancy. On the day the tenancy begins, press the test button on every alarm and confirm it sounds. This check is particularly important because regulations require alarms to be in working order at the point a new tenant moves in. Record the date, who performed the test, and the result for each device.
  3. Ask tenants to test regularly during the tenancy. While the day-to-day testing responsibility often shifts to the tenant once they're in occupation, it helps to remind them in writing how to press the test button and what to do if an alarm fails. Keep a copy of that written reminder alongside your record.
  4. Log any faults and the remedial action taken. If an alarm fails a test, note the date the fault was reported, what was done (battery replaced, full unit replaced, engineer attended) and the date the issue was resolved. Keep receipts or invoices with the record so the paper trail is complete.
  5. Store the record safely and keep it up to date. Retain the log for the duration of the tenancy and for a reasonable period afterwards in case of later disputes or insurance claims. A shared cloud folder or property management system tends to be more reliable than a single paper copy that can be mislaid between tenancies.

Common questions

If you're dealing with this kind of situation, a call with an experienced legal adviser can help you work out the right next step — from £89.

Common questions

Q Is a written alarm test record legally required?
The regulations require landlords in England to have working smoke alarms on every storey and carbon monoxide alarms in rooms with fixed combustion appliances, and to check them on the first day of each new tenancy. There is no statutory requirement to keep a specific form of record, but in practice a written log is the only realistic way to prove you've complied if it is ever questioned.
Q Who is responsible for testing the alarms during a tenancy?
The landlord must ensure alarms are working at the start of a new tenancy. After that, day-to-day testing typically falls to the tenant, as they are the ones occupying the property and able to respond to faults. It's sensible to set this out clearly in the tenancy agreement and to ask tenants to report any failures promptly so they can be dealt with.
Q What happens if I don't comply with the alarm regulations?
Local housing authorities can serve remedial notices on landlords who fail to meet the requirements, and a civil penalty may be imposed where the landlord does not comply. The exact penalty level can change over time, so it's worth checking gov.uk for the current figure. Beyond the financial risk, non-compliance exposes tenants to real danger and can affect insurance cover.
Q How often should alarms actually be tested?
Most manufacturers recommend pressing the test button at least monthly. As a landlord, your legal obligation to personally test is tied to the start of each tenancy, but encouraging monthly tenant checks is good practice. Alarms themselves usually have a lifespan of around ten years, after which the whole unit should be replaced regardless of whether it still appears to work.
Q Do I need a carbon monoxide alarm if there's no gas in the property?
Carbon monoxide risk comes from any fixed combustion appliance burning fuel, not only gas. That includes wood burners, solid fuel stoves, oil boilers, and open fires. Under the current rules in England, a CO alarm is required in any room used as living accommodation that contains such an appliance. Kitchens with only gas cookers sit in a more nuanced position, so check the latest guidance.
Q Can I keep the test record digitally?
Yes. A spreadsheet, a property management platform, or even photographs of the alarms with timestamps are all acceptable, provided the information is accurate and you can produce it when asked. The key thing is that the record is contemporaneous, created at the time of the test, rather than reconstructed after the fact, which tends to carry far less weight.
Q Should the record be shared with the tenant?
Sharing a copy with the tenant at the start of the tenancy is good practice. It confirms the alarms were working on day one, sets expectations about ongoing testing, and gives the tenant a point of reference if they later need to report a fault. A signed acknowledgement from the tenant also strengthens your evidence if any dispute arises later.
If you're dealing with this kind of situation, a call with an experienced legal adviser can help you work out the right next step — from £89.

Sources

This guide is based on primary UK law and official guidance.

Brad Askew, Solicitor (non-practising)

Written & reviewed by

Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)

Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice. LegalDocuments.co.uk is not a law firm and does not provide regulated legal advice.

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Legal disclaimer
This article is for general information only. It is a tool to help you find your way — not legal advice, and not a substitute for speaking to a qualified adviser about your situation.