Make carbon monoxide alarms mandatory in all holiday accommodation

We ask the UK Government to introduce legislation requiring all holiday accommodation, including short-term lets and rentals, to install and maintain working carbon monoxide alarms, with mandatory regular safety checks and proper enforcement.

This petition is written by a mother whose heart has been broken forever. My daughter and her boyfriend died from carbon monoxide poisoning whilst on holiday in Bridlington. Carbon monoxide is a silent, preventable killer. No family should go away and not come home. Stronger laws are needed to ensure all holiday accommodation has working carbon monoxide alarms to prevent further devastating loss.

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that cannot be seen, smelt or tasted. We are very sorry to hear of your loss and offer our deepest condolences to you and all those affected. The Government recognises the devastating impact of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and is committed to protecting people from its risks through a range of regulatory measures.

Statutory guidance in Approved Document J of the Building Regulations sets out provision for carbon monoxide alarms where certain new or replacement fixed combustion appliances are installed in dwellings. These requirements apply regardless of whether a property is a main residence, second home, short-term let or holiday accommodation. The requirements were strengthened in 2022 to cover new or replacement fixed combustion appliances of any fuel type, other than gas cookers. Approved Document J can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/combustion-appliances-and-fuel-storage-systems-approved-document-j

The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 require private and social landlords to install carbon monoxide alarms in rooms used as living accommodation that contain a fixed combustion appliance, other than a gas cooker. These regulations can apply to holiday accommodation covered by a tenancy, but do not generally apply to holiday accommodation occupied under a licence. These regulations can be found at https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2015/9780111133439/contents

Carbon monoxide safety is supported by wider legislation. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 require gas appliances, fittings and flues to be installed and maintained safely, and can be found at https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l56.htm

The Health and Safety Executive advises that proper installation, servicing and maintenance of appliances are among the most effective ways of reducing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. The Health and Safety Executive provides advice on Gas safety for landlords and letting agents. This advice can be found at https://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/faqlandlord.htm

The Government also publishes fire safety guidance for small premises providing accommodation for paying guests, including holiday caravans, lodges and similar accommodation. This recommends carbon monoxide detectors where living accommodation contains a gas or solid fuel-burning appliance. The guidance can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/making-your-small-paying-guest-accommodation-safe-from-fire/making-your-small-paying-guest-accommodation-safe-from-fire-accessible

We recognise that some types of holiday accommodation, including caravans, park homes and similar mobile structures fall outside the scope of the Building Regulations regime for which the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is responsible. We will therefore engage with other government departments and regulators to enable government to consider the best way for this to be addressed.

Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government