Law to require landlords to fit smoke alarms

Under the Private Rented Sector Code, there was already a requirement for rental property to have both smoke alarms and CO alarms fitted. However, from 1st October 2015, this requirement has now become law.

All lettings properties in England, either with existing or new tenancies, are now obliged to ensure a working smoke alarm is fitted on every level of a rental property and that a fully operational CO alarm is fitted in every room containing a solid fuel burning appliance – ie, a room which contains an open fire, solid-fuel cooker or room heater, multi-fuel stove/fire or gravity feed boiler.

These regulations were only passed in September 2015 leaving very little time for landlords to comply.

For properties which are currently tenanted, tenants have obligations, too. Once a tenanted property is fully compliant, the responsibility for regularly checking both alarms are in full working order lies with the tenant.

While the growing legislation in the rental sector is good news in terms of raising the quality of accommodation on offer, its increasing complexity can make it difficult for landlords to keep track of changes If a property is managed by an agent such as Liverpool Residential, checks will be carried out on a landlord's behalf. For non-managed properties, however, the responsibility remain with the landlord.

If local authorities are notified that a property does not comply with these regulations, landlords will be issued with a remedial notice which will allow them 28 days to comply or face a civil penalty fine of up to £5,000.

For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/smoke-and-carbon-monoxide-alarms-explanatory-booklet-for-landlords or call 0151 322 2003.