Creative Green Energy Services for Landlords
How to Rent for Landlords: Effective use of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
With the recent tragedy in West London, you don’t have to live in a high-rise apartment to feel some uneasiness. A decent landlord will be going through their portfolio and physically checking to ensure that they and their tenant are doing what is required as set out in the regulations. Whilst it may not be possible to completely avoid fires from occurring, it is known that it is 4 times less likely to be fatal where working alarms are fitted.
The legislation that governs this is: The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015, Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015, Part 1 of the Housing Act 2004, Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and Building Regulations 2010. Enforced by local authorities who can impose a fine of up to £5,000 where a landlord fails to comply with a remedial notice.
Private sector landlords are required from 1 October 2015 to have at least 1one smoke alarm installed on every storey of their properties and a 2carbon monoxide alarm in any room containing a solid fuel burning appliance (eg a coal fire, wood burning stove). After that, the landlord must make sure the alarms are in working order at the start of each new tenancy.
1There are many different types of smoke alarms available including strobe light and vibrating-pad alarms for those who are deaf or hard of hearing, joint smoke and mains-powered alarms.
We recommend fitting smoke alarms that come with a 10 
year long-lasting sealed battery.
You should fit smoke alarms in every room
As a minimum you should have at least one device fitted on the ceiling of every floor in your home…
Ideal locations for smoke alarms include rooms where electrical equipment is left switched on, such as living rooms or bedrooms.
As well as fitting smoke alarms in your home, you should also fit a heat detector. These are designed for use in the kitchen and go off when a certain temperature is reached.
Do not place smoke alarms in kitchens or bathrooms as the steam can damage the unit or unintentionally activate it. You should also avoid fitting the devices on walls as this could result in a delay in the alarm activating because of the smoke needing to travel along the ceiling and down the walls.
You’ll need a screwdriver and a drill when fitting your smoke alarms.
Always read the instructions that come with the alarm for further fitting information.
(http://www.london-fire.gov.uk/SmokeAlarms.asp)
The table below sets out these requirements. (http://www.fireservice.co.uk/safety/landlord-advice/)
2Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, poisonous gas produced by the incomplete burning of carbon-based fuels, including gas, oil, wood and coal. Carbon based fuels are usually safe to use, however, when the fuel does not burn properly, excess CO is produced, which is poisonous. When CO enters the body, it prevents the blood from bringing oxygen to cells, tissues, the brain and organs.
You cannot see it, taste it or smell it but CO can kill quickly with little warning. Around 50 people die every year from CO poisoning caused by gas, oil and solid fuel appliances and flues that have not been properly installed, maintained or that are poorly ventilated. Lower CO levels that do not kill immediately can cause serious harm to health if breathed in over a long period. In extreme cases paralysis and brain damage can be caused as a result of prolonged exposure to CO. Increasing public understanding of the risks of CO poisoning and taking sensible precautions could dramatically reduce this risk.
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Ensure that any work carried out in relation to gas appliances in domestic or commercial premises is to be undertaken by a Gas Safe Registered engineer, competent in that area of work
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Ensure one carbon monoxide alarm per solid fuel appliance, especially when they are in separate areas of a dwelling, i.e. gas boiler, gas hob, gas fire, open fire, wood burner
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The HSE strongly advises that gas appliances and / or flues are installed and serviced regularly for safety by a Gas Safe Registered engineer. In tenanted accommodation, the landlord has a legal duty to carry out an annual gas safety check and maintain gas appliances. They must provide you with a copy of the completed gas safety check certificate
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If you have a wood or coal burning stove fitted, make sure it is fitted by a HETAS approved installer. Make sure your chimneys are swept twice a year
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Always make sure there is enough fresh air in the room containing your gas, oil or solid fuel appliance. If you have a chimney or a flue, ensure it is not blocked up and also ensure that vents are not covered
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Do not use appliances like paraffin heaters and cabinet heaters in your house
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Never take a BBQ into a building or tent when it is still warm. When the embers have nearly died down, the BBQ will produce very large amounts of carbon monoxide!
It is strongly recommended the use of audible carbon monoxide (CO) alarms as an important precaution but they must not be regarded as a substitute for proper installation and maintenance of gas appliances by a Gas Safe Registered engineer. Before purchasing a CO alarm, always ensure it complies with British Standard EN 50291 and carries a British or European approval mark, such as a Kitemark. CO alarms should be installed, checked and serviced in line with the manufacturer’s instructions. Landlords must demonstrate to their tenant that the device is operational at the start and at the renewal of a tenancy, provide them with written instructions of the proper regime for checking and maintaining, (changing batteries).
Most CO alarms currently last between 5 and 7 years. Quite a lot of CO alarms also do not warn you when they reach the end of their life, so regular testing of the device is mandatory during the period of a tenancy.
Be A Better Landlord – property professionals offering ‘in the property’ check-in with your tenant:
- Demonstrates to the tenant smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are fully functional at the start of the tenancy
- Provide the tenant with clear instructions on how to test, maintain and the frequency that this is required both verbally and written
- Document by way of a signed receipt from the tenant that this has been carried out, along with all of the other landlord’s duties required by Deregulation Oct 2015 and all the other relevant legislation that is applicable
Contact Be A Better Landlord today for details on how our check-in can work for you!
Protecting landlords against any litigation, removing the possibility of being accused of retaliatory eviction. Prudent landlords make sure that the administration of the tenancy is robust and well documented from the beginning and carry out these checks at every agreement anniversary or renewal. Be A Better Landlord’s check-in looking after landlords who care about their tenants.
