Yet another formal government consultation is under way, this time into smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in the private rental sector – although it does not suggest any likely change in the current regulations.

The Department of Communities and Local Government, which has launched the consultation, says it is part of the ongoing health and safety review of rented accommodation in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

Current regulations require landlords – or agents acting on their behalf – to have at least one smoke alarm installed on every storey of their properties on which there is a room used wholly or partly as living accommodation, and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room wholly or partly used as living accommodation containing a solid fuel burning appliance.

Current guidance also recommends that tenants test these alarms, ideally monthly.

Responses are required to this consultation by January 9; the results are likely to be used to inform the independent review into building regulations and fire safety being conducted by Dame Judith Hackett, which is expected to report next spring.

You can see the consultation here.