A lettings sector trade body is calling for action now by landlords and agents ahead of laws extending the need for carbon monoxide alarms.
The government has already given notice that it will legislate so that carbon monoxide alarms are fitted in all rental properties in England with fixed combustion appliances.
Previously the requirement only applied to solid fuel appliances. Social housing will also be brought into scope for the first time, potentially putting further pressure on the supply chain.
Tim Clark, chairman of United Kingdom Association of Letting Agents says: “We welcome the new regulations, which will help to bring down carbon monoxide casualties and fatalities. However, there is a history of new legislation resulting in fairly chaotic rushes to comply.
“The number of properties affected has the potential to cause supply chain issues. We urge agents and landlords to act now to avoid the difficulty of having to source large numbers of alarms between the law being passed and coming into force.”
The proposed regulation changes for England, which the government says will be passed as soon as legislative time allows, will also require carbon monoxide alarms to be fitted when new appliances, such as gas boilers or fires are installed in any home.
Additionally all landlords in social and private rented sectors will be required to repair or replace smoke and carbon monoxide alarms once reported as faulty.
The reforms follow a three month consultation and changes will be brought forward through the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 and the statutory guidance (Approved Document J) supporting Part J of the Building Regulations.
Junior housing minister Eddie Hughes says: “It is fundamentally right for people to feel safe in their own homes – an issue I’ve advocated for many years.
“Around 20 people are killed each year in accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, and many more through house fires – but we know that simple interventions can stop these needless deaths.
“I’m proud that the new rules being proposed will ensure even more homes are fitted with life-saving alarms. Whether you own your home, are privately renting or in social housing – everyone deserves to feel safe and this is an incredibly important step in protecting those at risk.”
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Government turning tenants into babies that can't fend for themselves. Another piece of legislation to make more headache & work for landlords, how many people have actually died from GAS!! boiler carbon monoxide poisoning, If the tenant feels so unsafe why don't they just go out and buy the 12 pound alarm and fit it themselves. , why is the honess always passed onto the landlords. if it was a private home no one gives a toss.
There was a time when we left school and went out to work, we quickly learnt to stand on our own 2 feet, now kids go to uni and remain kids till the day they die, and yes we can blame the governments for this
My tenants are moaning about pigeons , I suggested they go on the flat roof and walk about a bit
Seems beyond their capabilities…
Get a BB Gun and shoot them...Takes about an afternoon.
Pop the breasts out put in frying pan with a knob of butter, lovely
Anyway,
Anybody got tips on what issues to include in a contract:
eg: No pets, proper guarantor, too many children, prompt payment of rent, ethnicity, no smoking, no punching holes in the walls to hang pictures...etc.....
I am trying to collect a whole list of do's and don'ts....before the next tenant get's access to my flagship property?
Thoughts are much appreciated
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