There
has been a lot of coverage recently in the media regarding the
condition of some rental properties with reports that tenants live in
conditions which could endanger their lives. Electrical safety is no
exception to this rule, yet many landlords chose to ignore the
condition of their property electrics and seemingly wait for
something to happen.
The
decision of whether to make compulsory a requirement to provide an
EICR at least once every 5 years is yet to be made, however a law is
due to come in later this year that will keep tenants safer in their
properties.
What
is the new law?
From October 2015, landlords will be required to by law to fit
working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in their
properties.
Alarmingly 26 deaths and 670 injuries occur every year in UK rental
properties where neither of these items were provided. In many
rental properties, it is found during property inspections that
tenants have actually fitted their own smoke alarms and provided
their own carbon monoxide detectors. It is fortunate for the
landlord that the tenants have taken this approach as many do not.
The decision has received strong support from a private consultation
held about the condition of property in the private rental sector.
There is also support expected from all 46 fire and rescue services
across the UK many of whom will provide free services to fit and
install fire alarms.
The law is designed to bring properties in the rental sector in line
with existing building regulations in particular the fact that new
build properties are required to have a hard wired smoke alarm system
installed. Landlords will be required to fit a smoke alarm on every
floor of their property and a carbon monoxide alarm in the vicinity
of any fuel burning appliances such as gas boilers, log burners, coal
fires etc.
Are
you a landlord affected by these changes?
As
electricians in South East London we are aware that most landlords
already comply with the upcoming law as they already supply smoke
alarms in their properties. Landlords of properties of multiple
occupancy will already be familiar with the current laws surrounding
smoke alarms, however the new law will require all landlords to
provide working smoke alarms in their properties, however it will be
the responsibility of the tenant to ensure that the smoke alarm
continues to work by testing it regularly.
As fire alarm specialists here at
Fulcher Edwards we are currently
working with several landlords in the London area to ensure their
rental properties are going to meet the required standard. It is not
as simple as giving your tenants a couple of smoke alarms and
expecting them to fit them themselves, it will be your responsibility
as a landlord to make sure that they are fitted correctly in the
right areas of your property.
By opting for the security of mains powered smoke alarms and not
reliant on battery power alone, you will have maximum peace of mind
as a landlord. At Fulcher Edwards we design, install and commission
fire alarms systems in properties of all sizes. It is even possible
to combine smoke alarms and carbon monoxide testers in one unit so
both requirements are being met in one go.
Households without any working smoke alarm are 4 times as more likely
to die in a house fire as against households that do.
