Under measures announced by Housing Minister Brandon Lewis, Landlords will be required by law to install working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in their properties. The move will help prevent up to 26 deaths and 670 injuries a year.
The measure is expected to take effect from October 2015, and comes with strong support after a consultation on property condition in the private rented sector.
This is part of wider government moves to ensure there are sufficient measures in place to protect public safety, while at the same time avoiding regulation which would push up rents and restrict the supply of homes, limiting choice for tenants.
Housing Minister Brandon Lewis said:
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.
For the past 12 months I have been monitoring the installation of CO alarms in all of our rented properties . As a general rule of thumb most alarms will last approximately 5 years after which they will need to be replaced. The cost of a simple CO alarm is less than £20 and is a small price to pay given the penalty for non compliance could be as high as £5000. Landlords will have to ensure all alarms that are fitted are tested at the start of each and every tenancy with reminders to tenants to test them on a regular basis.
If you are an existing landlord in Newbury or thinking of becoming one, then a good source of information is the Newbury property news. Although I operate Downer & Co Letting Agents in Newbury I am also a landlord myself and have over 15 Years experience buying selling, letting and managing property in the local area. I am always happy to chat to you openly and honestly about any aspect of the local property market.
