New regulations for Landlords
From 1st October 2015, new regulations require Landlords in England to install carbon monoxide alarms and smoke alarms for tenanted properties, or face a £5,000 civil penalty.
Requirement for smoke alarms
If your property is occupied under a tenancy, you must ensure that from 1st October 2015 each storey of the premises is fitted with a smoke alarm in full working order. Landlords also need to ensure all smoke alarms are tested at the start of every tenancy, under new government measures coming into force.
Requirement for carbon monoxide alarms
Likewise, during any period beginning on or after 1st October 2015, tenanted properties must be fitted with a carbon monoxide alarm in high risk rooms e.g. where there is a solid fuel burning appliance installed.
Need a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm installing?
We have been inundated with requests from Landlords since the new legislation was announced, so they can be fully prepared by 1st October. We have been hard wiring Aico Heat, Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarms for those landlords wanting hard wired ones. Whilst they should be checked regularly, they shouldn’t need replacing for 10 years. The carbon monoxide alarms are tamper resistant giving Landlords peace of mind.
Care should be taken when decorating as paint fumes can affect the detectors and cause false alarms. Small insects – spiders and midges – can also affect them. We will talk you through your options when we visit, and help you find the right system for your property.
Already have smoke and carbon monoxide alarms installed?
As a Landlord, you are required to carry out checks to ensure the smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms installed comply with the new Regulations and are in full working order. If you’re unsure how to test them or would like the reassurance from a qualified electrician, we can come and test these for you. It is your responsibility to ensure regular checks are carried out.
Many Landlords already have smoke and carbon monoxide alarms installed in their properties but the change in law is to ensure every tenant can be given this important protection. Brandon Lewis, Housing Minister said, “I’m changing the law to ensure every tenant can be given this important protection. Working smoke alarms provide the vital seconds needed to escape a fire.”
Statistics presented by Brandon Lewis state ‘people are at least 4 times more likely to die in a fire in the home if there’s no working smoke alarm.’ Perhaps something we should all be looking at, not just Landlords.
Penalties
If the Landlord is in breach, the local authority may require the Landlord to pay a penalty charge up to a maximum of £5,000.
If you’re a Landlord and your property does not yet adhere to the new regulations or you’d like to test alarms already installed, we can help. Call us on 01226 763 127 and we will come and visit your property and ensure it’s fully compliant. You can also visit our Landlords and Property Owners page to see what other services we can support you with.
Related articles:
New legislation to protect tenants safety
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms: explanatory booklet for landlords