IMPORTANT: New rules regarding smoke and carbon monoxide detectors start today

The House of Lords finally passed the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations which means that landlords now need to ensure that each floor of a rental property has a working smoke alarm and that living spaces with solid fuel appliances have carbon monoxide alarms fitted.

Today, 1 October 2015, all privately rented tenanted properties will require to have a smoke detector fitted on every floor of the property where at least one room is used wholly or partially as accommodation (this includes toilets).  A carbon monoxide (CO) alarm also needs to be fitted in every room containing a solid fuel burning combustion appliance (ie open fire or wood burning stove). Although at this stage this does not apply to gas appliances, we advise landlords as a matter of best practice to install carbon monoxide alarms near gas appliances.

It is also important to note that, for all new tenancies starting on or after 1 October 2015, landlords must test that the alarms are working on the start day of the tenancy. It has been suggested that the best way to do this is to have them tested during the check in process and to note down on the check in report that is has been done.

Alternatively, you should get the tenant to sign a receipt confirming the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working on the start date of the tenancy.

During the tenancy it is the tenant’s responsibility to ensure the alarms work and it is their responsibility to change the batteries during the tenancy. However, it is the landlord’s responsibility to replace the alarms if they become faulty during the tenancy.

Please do not hesitate to contact Winkworth if you wish to discuss the letting of your property or property management options on 020 7870 4878 or at csd@winkworth.co.uk. 

For further information regarding the legislation, please click on the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/462026/Explan_book_Landlords.pdf