Fact sheet: Private Tenancies (Northern Ireland) Act 2022

The Regulations introduce requirements for all private tenancies in Northern Ireland to have sufficient smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms in the property. It is the first piece of legislation covering sections seven to twelve of the Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022—specifically section eight: Fire, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, etc.

The Smoke, Heat and Carbon Monoxide Alarms Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 set the standards for the number and type of alarms that must be installed in privately rented properties. Once they come into force, letting agents and landlords will be responsible for installing and keeping alarms sufficient in any property they rent out.

Following the enactment of Sections 1-6 of the Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 on 1 April 2023, the Department for Communities has outlined that two further phases, Sections 8 and 10, will come into force by the end of 2024.