Fire and carbon monoxide detection loan scheme guidance

The new standard extends that which currently applies to private rented property to all homes in Scotland, and will come into force on 1 February 2021.

Housing of all tenures will require:

• One smoke alarm installed in the room most frequently used for general daytime living purposes
• One smoke alarm in every circulation space on each story, such as hallways and landings
• One heat alarm installed in every kitchen

All alarms should be ceiling mounted and interlinked. Private landlords were previously required to install mains-operated alarms, however tamper proof long-life lithium battery alarms (not PP3 type or user-replaceable) as well as mains operated alarms (with battery backup) are now permitted.

Carbon monoxide detectors must be fitted where there are carbon-fuelled appliances such as boilers, fires (including open fires), heaters and stoves, or a flue.

Registered social landlords can apply for the Fire and Carbon Monoxide Detection Loan Scheme until November 30 and applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Organisations must meet the following criteria:

The organisation must be a registered social landlord and must be a legally constituted entity with a registered address in Scotland and the buildings in which measures are to be installed must be located in Scotland.

1. The housing stock must be social housing owned by the applicant. Privately owned properties are not eligible for funding under this scheme, including properties purchased under the ‘Right to Buy’.
2. The organisation may be required to provide information and/or allow access to the properties for Scottish Government representatives in order to prove that the installations carried out have resulted in the properties meeting the standard required by the tolerable standard.
3. The alarms purchased using the loan must be new equipment which will be used for the first time in the project. 
4. The buildings in which alarms are to be installed must be existing buildings in which measures are to be retrofitted and must not be buildings under construction.

Loans will be interest-free and repayable across five years from point of borrowing. The five-year time frame recognises potential upgrade programmes that may be required and to align with maintenance planning (which is usually done on a five year cycle).