Having reviewed the position, monthly testing of smoke alarms within resident flats is commonly recommended as good practice, however it is not always a strict requirement for landlord staff to enter every dwelling each month to undertake this.
In many cases, monthly press-button testing is intended to be carried out by the occupier where they are able, with the landlord maintaining a suitable system for support, inspection and responsive maintenance where required. This is particularly relevant in almshouse settings where some residents may be elderly, vulnerable, unwilling to grant frequent access, or unable to test alarms themselves.
A more practical and proportionate approach often adopted by similar providers is a risk-based arrangement such as:
Residents encouraged to test alarms themselves monthly where able
Assisted checks for residents who may need support
Alarm checks undertaken during welfare visits, tenancy visits, routine inspections or other scheduled property visits
Prompt attendance to any reported faults, low-battery warnings or concerns
Replacement of units in line with manufacturer guidance and expected service life
Clear record keeping of checks, reported issues and actions taken
This generally provides a sensible balance between resident safety, practicality and management responsibilities.
It may also be worthwhile asking the fire risk assessor to clarify whether their comment was intended as best-practice guidance or an absolute management requirement, and whether a proportionate risk-based regime would satisfy the intended objective.