NEW SMOKE AND CARBON DIOXIDE LEGISLATION FOR LANDLORDS

As of the 1^st of October 2015 there are major changes being made to the installation of smoke and carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors in rented housing. Landlords will now, by law, be required to install a smoke alarm on each storey of their property, and also have a CO detector in place for rooms where a solid fuel appliance is in use. Although it will not be written in law that gas appliance properties should have carbon monoxide alarms installed, the government is encouraging Landlords to do so, as an additional safety measure.

These new regulations will apply to both new and existing tenancies, meaning Landlords will be asked to speak to their tenants to find a convenient time to install. The alarms themselves can be battery or hardwired, but must be in place and operational by the October the 1^st in order to comply.

The government regulations stipulate that a smoke alarm must be installed on every storey that is used as living space, therefore excluding lofts, unless they have been converted of course. Landlords are then asked to review and test each alarm at the beginning of a new tenancy, to ensure safety for those moving in. After that it is up to the tenant to take responsibility for the alarm, with Landlords asked to remind them to test regularly and either replace batteries themselves, or report back if a new wired alarm is required.

The reason for putting new regulations in place is to increase the safety of private sector tenants, with 26 deaths and 670 injuries hoped to be avoided each year thanks to the change. Each area will be monitored by its local authority, who will be given the power to issue remedial notices, followed by legal proceedings that could lead to a civil penalty of up to £5,000, should they have reasonable grounds to believe that a Landlord has failed to comply.

If you are looking for guidance on what detector to install then Orchard & Shipman today. One of our dedicated team will be happy to assist you and make sure that you are completely compliant with government regulations.