Landlords Need To Know About the Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarm Legislation
The matter has been under discussion for quite some time, and there has been some debate about whether landlords should adopt certain measures to ensure that their rented properties are actually safe for their tenants.
A recent legislation is underway, which prompts landlords to fit smoke alarms within the rental properties to ensure tenant safety. Though the bill had been under consideration for quite some time, there are a bunch of ambiguities attached to it.
Though landlords were charged with the urgent need to fix or install the alarms at the earliest convenience, there were a number of unclear instructions within the legislation. Though there was a mention of a fine being imposed in case of non compliance by the landlords to the new legislation, there was no mention of the specific alarm system which was required to be installed.
There were vague instructions about the exact location in which to install the smoke alarm as well, and the penalty amount was also not clearly specified. But with the release of the details of the latest legislation related to the carbon monoxide and smoke alarm system, most vague details have been clearly specified.
The details given in the new legislation state that it is necessary for landlords to opt for the fixing of a new alarm system on the property that is put up for rent. There is also an obligation on fitting an alarm on each storey of the rented property. Any property which has been adapted and is being used for residential accommodation purposes, should also have a smoke alarm installed in any room which has a solid fuel appliance fixed in it. The installation is also obligatory for all landlords.
But the issue which still remains unresolved, and which poses problems for landlords, is that there are still no specific instructions about the best carbon monoxide and smoke alarm to be installed in a property by a landlord. There also haven’t been very clear instructions about the standard British system to use, for proper compliance with all the legal obligations stated in the new legislation.
But even then, landlords need to be aware and ensure compliance with the legal obligations that have been stated in the legislation, as the local authorities have the power to levy a sum of around £5000 in fines on those individuals, who do not comply with the given legal instructions.
As the legislation is in draft form and almost as good as being already passed in the parliament, it is very important for landlords to opt for the fitting of smoke alarms in their rented properties immediately, so that they do not run into any problems which might result in the charging of a fine, due to non compliance.
As landlords, it is very important to remain constantly aware of the recent legislation changes taking place in the country, as you surely want to conduct yourselves within the confines of the law at all times.
