Landlords urged to note new health and safety legislation

Mendip District Council is warning landlords to comply with changes to Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations - or face a £5,000 fine.

The new legislation applies across England and Wales but the council is reminding people in its patch that it affects all landlords with rental properties, and states that landlords must:

- ensure at least one smoke alarm is fitted on each storey where there is a room used as living accommodation;

- ensure a carbon monoxide alarm is in all rooms used as living accommodation where there are fixed combustible appliances, for example wood burners and gas or oil boilers;

- ensure faulty smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are repaired or replaced.

Councillor Richard Pinnock from Mendip council says: "We know our landlords would want to provide their tenants with safe and secure homes, so we would hope that they are aware of the changes in legislation and will act responsibly.

"House fires and Carbon Monoxide deaths are tragic but avoidable. Thankfully they are also rare. The installation of alarms in the right locations is a simple but significant way to avoid unnecessary harm to tenants and protects properties.

"The safety of our residents is paramount, and the Council will not hesitate to use its powers to fine landlords who do not comply with the new rules."

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