As of October 1st 2015, all landlords are required by law to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in their current rental properties. Any existing alarms must also be fully inspected at the beginning of a new tenancy, with a fine of up to £5000 in place for landlords who flout the new regulations.
It is estimated that over the next decade this law could save as many as 230 lives and lead to nearly 6000 fewer injuries from rental property fires.
In 2011 Thomas McCann and Hamza Zulfiqar were killed when a fire tore through their rented property in Walthamstow, North East London, and theirs was an easily avoidable tragedy. Upon inspection by the London Fire Brigade the property was found to have no fire detectors, no smoke alarms, no risk assessment, and not a single item of fire-fighting equipment.
Any one of these simple measures could have saved the lives of these two men, and in September this year landlord Muhammad Ashraf was ordered to pay costs of £22,684 and given a six-month suspended jail sentence.
The current legislation regarding landlord fire safety was delayed due to concerns over its wording, leading to anger amongst many over the short timeframe given to adhere to these regulations. However, it has been known for some time that the bill would require the installation of smoke alarms in rental properties, so there is no excuse for not having these in place already.
The current legislation regarding landlord fire safety was delayed due to concerns over its wording, leading to anger amongst many over the short timeframe given to adhere to these regulations. However, it has been known for some time that the bill would require the installation of smoke alarms in rental properties, so there is no excuse for not having these in place already.
No extension has been granted to allow landlords extra time to outfit their properties, and every day you fail to act you are risking both a fine and your tenant’s lives. Additionally the correct placement and installation of your property’s smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms is essential.
If you require assistance to ensure that your property adheres to the updated regulations, contact Total Fire Services today for assistance and to book a free fire health check.
01204 697 990
