New regulations re Smoke and CO alarms

by Readers Question

10:10 AM, 14th March 2015, 11 years ago 63

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Landlord News Landlords Questions

What are peoples thoughts on the new legal requirements to install new smoke and CO alarms?

Smoke and CO alarms new requirement

The Housing Minister, Brandon Lewis announced yesterday that landlords will be required to have both smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms installed in all rental properties.

The changes are scheduled to come into effect soon after their Parliamentary approval, on 10 October 2015.

Fire and rescue authorities will be directed to provide support with the implementation – providing local private landlords with free alarms.

Brandon Lewis commented:

“In 1988 just 8% of homes had a smoke alarm installed – now it’s over 90%.

The vast majority of landlords offer a good service and have installed smoke alarms in their homes, but I’m changing the law to ensure every tenant can be given this important protection.

But with working smoke alarms providing the vital seconds needed to escape a fire, I urge all tenants to make sure they regularly test their alarms to ensure they work when it counts. Testing regularly remains the tenant’s responsibility.”

The move will help prevent up to 36 deaths and 1,375 injuries a year.

Expectations of a landlord –

Smoke alarms installed on every floor of the rental property, and test them at the start of every tenancy.
Carbon monoxide alarms in all high risk rooms – such as those where a solid fuel heating system is installed.

Landlord failing to meet the new regulations could face a maximum £5,000 civil penalty.

Regards

Denise

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Comments

Polly Robins

Member Since March 2015 - Comments: 5

10:49 AM, 16th March 2015, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by “Craig Holmes” at “16/03/2015 – 10:16“:

Thanks for that Craig, that’s great to know. Can I ask if you are in Scotland?
I felt £500 way way too much! I rent my flat through a letting agency as I’m overseas, so it’s not that easy for me to get multiple quotes. I’ll have to ask my agency to do it for me. Fingers crossed I can get it done for a reasonable price.
Thanks again, Polly

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Craig Holmes

Member Since December 2013 - Comments: 11

10:54 AM, 16th March 2015, About 11 years ago

Yeah, we are based in Fife – I am a landlord and a letting agent.. That’s the price we have secured for our landlords.

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Polly Robins

Member Since March 2015 - Comments: 5

11:14 AM, 16th March 2015, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by “Craig Holmes” at “16/03/2015 – 10:54“:

Hi Craig,
That’s really good to know. My flat’s in Perth! The company don’t have someone in Perth by any chance? Thanks Polly

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Fed Up Landlord

Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 1121

11:14 AM, 16th March 2015, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by “Craig Holmes” at “16/03/2015 – 10:16“:

Craig can you enlighten me please. What’s a “heat detector”?

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Fed Up Landlord

Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 1121

11:20 AM, 16th March 2015, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by “Julie Ford” at “16/03/2015 – 09:04“:

Julie thank you. It seems from the bill that it will only apply to gas and other solid fuel appliances, and will be part of the gas safe regime. And there are specific areas and measurements where it needs to be installed. So will wait until it gets Royal Assent until I start fitting the alarms as I can see some picky Gas Safe Engineer failing the property if the detector isn’t in the right room and at the right height.

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Craig Holmes

Member Since December 2013 - Comments: 11

11:31 AM, 16th March 2015, About 11 years ago

Hi Gary,

Here is a link, http://www.safelincs.co.uk/ei-electronics/heat-alarms-for-kitchens/

Also, the purpose of them are Due to the nature of kitchens they are quite regularly filled with smoke. Optical and ionisation smoke detectors in such an environment will cause false alarms but this can be avoided by using heat detectors. These heat detectors will detect abnormally high temperatures or rapid rises in temperature and alert you of potential fire in your kitchen. Heat alarms are also effective units in garages, where fumes may be regularly present. It is recommended that you link your heat alarm to other smoke detectors in your house so to get as early a warning as possible.

Craig

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Craig Holmes

Member Since December 2013 - Comments: 11

11:33 AM, 16th March 2015, About 11 years ago

Hi Polly, I am afraid not we are an owner managed, one office agency..

But… If you want to expand your portfolio into Fife please give me a shout !

Craig

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Polly Robins

Member Since March 2015 - Comments: 5

11:38 AM, 16th March 2015, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by “Craig Holmes” at “16/03/2015 – 11:33“:

Will do… many thanks anyway Polly

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Richard D.

Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 6

12:06 PM, 16th March 2015, About 11 years ago

Sorry to be picky but you say CO2 Mark, CO2 is carbon dioxide. CO is carbon Monoxide!
I knew O level chemistry would be worth it one day, it’s just taken 35 years to get there….

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Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118 Read Full Bio

Member Since January 2011 - Comments: 12217 - Articles: 1412

12:10 PM, 16th March 2015, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by “Richard Dawson” at “16/03/2015 – 12:06“:

Hi Richard

You’re right, my bad, article and comments amended accordingly.

Thanks for the point of correction.
.

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