Planning is now underway to prepare for the changes made to the Housing Scotland Act (1987) relating to smoke and heat detectors in council homes.

Landlords have been given a two year period to carry out the upgrades. This will affect over 36,500 council homes across the area and we must be fully compliant with these changes by 2021. An installation programme is currently being developed to do this.

Key changes include:

• At least one smoke alarm installed in the room used most for daily living;

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• At least one smoke alarm in the hallway and landing areas on each storey;

• At least one heat alarm installed in every kitchen;

• All alarms should be ceiling mounted and interlinked, and

• Carbon monoxide detectors installed in all homes.

Brian Lafferty, Head of Housing Property, said: "This is an extensive installation programme. We're preparing our plans to make these changes, required by legislation, that will further enhance tenant safety and continue to improve the quality of housing within North Lanarkshire.

"As the largest local authority landlord in Scotland, it's a huge project, which will involve sound financial planning, continuous communication with our tenants and coordination for access to fit, inspect and maintain the new alarms. Some installations have already taken place using existing contracts and we are currently developing a new installation programme for the remainder of the housing stock.

"As we progress our plans we'll contact tenants with additional information."