Under current regulations ( which have been in effect since 1 October 2015), landlords need to ensure that a carbon monoxide and smoke alarm is fitted on every floor of their property.
This is where a room used wholly or partly as living accommodation.
This also applies to any room where a solid fuel is burnt, such as wood, coal or biomass, including open fires.
However, Landlords, estate and letting agents, property managers and property owners should be aware that the clock is ticking towards the introduction of new safety regulations on carbon monoxide and smoke alarms.
The new regulations, which come into force on 1 October 2022, will have impacts on the way they currently manage their properties.
Amendments to regulations regarding Carbon Monoxide Alarms
From 1 October, regulations state that all rental homes in England, must provide a carbon monoxide alarm in rooms used as living accommodation. This is where there is a fixed combustion appliance, such as gas heaters and boilers.
This stipulation also includes fuel burning appliances such as log-burning stoves and oil boilers. It is important to note that these amended rules will not apply to gas cookers.
For the first time the new rules also extend to social housing tenants, who will require a smoke alarm for each storey of their home where there’s a room used for living accommodation.
The amendment will apply in Wales from the start of December 2022.
What Are the New Requirements For Defective Carbon Monoxide Alarms?
The amended rules also stipulate that when a tenant reports a faulty alarm it should be repaired or replaced.
This is a significant change for the private rental sector.
All alarms must comply with British Standards BS 5839-6 for smoke alarms, and British Standards BS 50291 for carbon monoxide alarms.
Landlords should also ensure that the property’s alarms are in proper working order on the day that a tenancy starts. They must keep a record of this as part of their inventory.
What happens if Landlords fail to comply to the new requirements for Carbon Monoxide Detectors?
All Landlords should be aware of the upcoming changes in regulations and be compliant by 1 October 2022. If they fail to do so they can expect fines of up to £5,000.
Why are these changes necessary?
These new regulations are the latest example of legal changes which are putting a greater focus on safety in rented properties, especially for the health of tenants to ensure they are not subject to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide gas to avoid them getting carbon monoxide poisoning,.
It is also for fire safety, and to protect the tenants, property and surrounds.
As a result, landlords are under the spotlight like never before and are being held to account for their actions – or lack of action, with installing the best carbon monoxide detectors, whether battery powered alarms or combined smoke alarms, on site.
More Information:
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