Spotlight On – New Laws for Landlords, Smoke Detectors

Smoke Detectors – Health & Safety and Fire Safety in Housing

New laws coming into effect in October 2015  will require landlords to install working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms in their properties, under measures announced by the Housing Minister (Brandon Lewis) in March 2015.

It is claimed that this will help prevent up to 26 deaths and 670 injuries a year. The measure is expected to take effect from October this year, and comes with strong support after a consultation on property condition in the private rented sector.

The 46 fire and rescue authorities in England are expected to support private landlords in their own areas to meet their new responsibilities with the provision of free alarms, with grant funding from government. This forms 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.

What does this mean:

• The proposed changes to the law would require landlords to install smoke detectors (smoke alarms) on every floor of their property, and test them at the start of every tenancy.
• Landlords would be required to install carbon monoxide alarms in high risk rooms – such as those where a solid fuel heating system is installed.
• Those who fail to install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms would face sanctions and could face up to a £5,000 civil penalty.
• This would bring private rented properties into line with existing building regulations that already require newly-built homes to have hard-wired smoke alarms installed.
• The idea is in line with other measures the government has taken to improve standards in the private rented sector, without wrapping the industry up in red tape.

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