Homes across Scotland are facing new fire and smoke alarm rules – costing homeowners as much as £220.

The new laws come off the back of the tragic London Grenfell Fire in 2017 and will ensure that everyone in Scotland has the same level of protection whether they own or rent their home.

Concerns have been raised about the new law, including the “very little publicity” and difficulty to get everything fitted by the deadline given the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Here, we detail out everything you need to know:

When do the changes come into force?

The regulations come into force in February 2021, meaning homeowners and landlords have until then to comply.

What alarms will I need?

Under the terms of the new rules, published by the Scottish Government last week, Scottish homeowners must have a ceiling-mounted smoke alarm in their living room, hallways and landings and a heat alarm in every kitchen.

The alarm system must be interlinked.

And carbon monoxide alarms should be fitted where there is a fuel burning appliance or a flue.

Do I need to pay?

Any costs will be the responsibility of home owners and landlords.

The cost of the alarms will vary according to what you currently have in place and the alarms you choose to install.

The Scottish Government estimates that the cost for an average three bedroom house which requires three smoke alarms, one heat alarm and one carbon monoxide detector will be around £220.

This is based on using the type of alarms that you can install by yourself without the need for an electrician for installing a hard-wired alarm.

How will it be enforced?

Compliance with the new rules will form part of any Home Report when you come to sell your home.

As this will be a minimum standard for safe houses, local authorities will be able to use their statutory powers to require owners to carry out work on substandard housing.

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Has there been any opposition to the law change?

Scottish Conservative Party Leader Douglas Ross, raised concerns about leaflets delivered in his Moray consituency about the move saying there has been "very little publicity" about the new law, and said there are concerns about the cost and the ability to get everything fitted by February given the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Similar leaflets have been delivered across Scotland.

He suggested moving the deadline for completion back to 2022.

Mr Ross said: "This legislation was recently rubber stamped by the Scottish Government but there has been very little publicity about it and people are simply not aware of the requirements.

"It will cost the average home-owner between £200 and £300 to make their property compliant with the law.

"It’s absolutely staggering that there has been a lack of published information from the SNP Government, who have a duty to make the public aware and put mechanisms in place for people to have this work done safely and at an affordable cost."

Will the Scottish Government delay?

It has since been revealed that Scottish Government ministers are considering a delay in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

A spokesman said: “In light of the challenges posed by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Scottish Government is actively considering a delay in the deadline to carry out this important safety work. A decision will be announced shortly.

“Improving fire safety is a key priority for the Scottish Government. The tragic events at Grenfell Tower emphasised how important building and fire safety is, which is why, following consultation, we announced in 2018 that the standards that already existed in the private rented sector would be applied to all homes. Our intention is that everyone should benefit from the same level of protection, whether you own your home or rent from a social or private landlord.”

Full details are available on the Scottish Government website here.