More than 25 deaths and 700 injuries a year are expected to be prevented under new government measures. All rented properties will be required to have both smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, with landlords who do not comply facing a penalty of up to £5,000.

The government said this move would save lives and enforce standards in rented accommodation.

Landlords will be required to install smoke alarms on every floor of their property and carbon monoxide detectors in every room with solid fuel burning appliances.

Alarms must be checked at the start of the tenancy and be in full working order.

Housing minister Brandon Lewis said the move would save lives and involve little extra effort for landlords.

“We’re determined to create a bigger, better and safer private rented sector. That means ensuring the safety of tenants with smoke and carbon monoxide alarms,” he said.

“Fire kills and people are at least 4 times more likely to die in a fire in the home if there’s no working smoke alarm.

“These changes will help save lives by ensuring all landlords install alarms in their properties, giving tenants the vital seconds they need to escape.”

The government said it now plans to create a blacklist of persistent rogue landlords and letting agents, to help track those convicted of housing-related offences.