Apply for your free smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm
We can only accept requests made online. For more information about the scheme view our FAQs.
People living in rented or shared accommodation are seven times more likely to have a fire according to research from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).
From October 2015, if you are a landlord you will be bound by law to:
- install one smoke alarm on each storey of your rental property
- install one carbon monoxide alarm in any room that contains a solid fuel burning appliance
- test each alarm at the beginning of the tenancy
This is the minimum requirement in order to comply with the legislation, further details about the new law can be found on Alarms4Life.
For maximum protection, smoke alarms should be fitted in every room apart from the kitchen and bathroom. Heat alarms can be fitted in kitchens.
Free alarms
To help prevent more fires, through DCLG funding, free smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are being distributed across the country to landlords, for their rental properties.
We have a limited supply of free alarms to support landlords in meeting the new legislation but you can apply for up to five properties per application form and can submit multiple forms if necessary.
All applications will be assessed according to risk.
We will prioritise the allocation of alarms to properties in areas our research show as having the highest risk of fire and to those tenants who are at increased risk of fire.
Who can apply?
We have amended the application process to enable us to reach those tenants most vulnerable to fire and ensure their rented properties have the protection of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
Landlords and tenants can apply if they believe a person residing in a property is at a higher risk of being involved in a fire.
Our FAQs have further information that explains what increases a person’s vulnerability to fire.
If you’re a tenant and you’d like some home fire safety advice, you can arrange a free Home Fire Safety Visit.
Who can’t apply?
You’re ineligible if:
- landlords who are registered providers of social housing
- Houses in Multiple Occupations (HMOs), hostels and refuges
- shared accommodation with the landlord or landlords family
- long leases properties (over seven years)
- student halls of residence
- care homes
- hospitals and hospices and other healthcare accommodation
Collecting the alarms
We are not able to post or deliver alarms. Instead, succesful applicants will be able to collect alarms from four designated collection points across London.
Applicants will be asked to select a preferred collection point when applying.
Specific details will be sent to you when you receive confirmation that your application has been successful.
For further information on collecting alarms please view our FAQs.
Fitting alarms
Alarms should be fitted according to the manufacturer’s instructions, which will be supplied with the alarms. Further installation advice can be viewed on Alarms4Life.
Apply for your free smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm
If you have any questions about the scheme please email PRSSmokeandCOAlarms@london-fire.gov.uk