smoke detectors,compulsory?

[ian.settle1]

Not doubting you at all, but, thats the first ive heard of that.

I have been renting from a private landlord for over ten years and not once has an electrician been in to do an inspection.

Not that there is anything substandard as the house is only ten years old.

Oh, and of course, i live here.

A couple of years ago the was a campaign on the radio and tele stating that landlords had by a certain to register with local authority by a certain date if not they could receive a fine of upto £20,000.

 

[Spudnik]

A couple of years ago the was a campaign on the radio and tele stating that landlords had by a certain to register with local authority by a certain date if not they could receive a fine of upto £20,000.

Cripes.

i better give them a nudge then coz i dont want my rent going up to pay his fine!

 

[ian.settle1]

Cripes.

i better give them a nudge then coz i dont want my rent going up to pay his fine!

Another one as of today landlords have to have an energy rating survey carried out on properties and must be shown to people renting their property. Not to sure if this is all or just to new renters of property.

 

[BilboBaggins]

I found a lot of good info on this site.

Welcome - Landlord Expert :Free Information and Advice

just started getting a house ready for renting out and now going through the minefield of do's and don'ts.

 

[fi601]

i know its a bit late but smoke detectors are compulsory and they have to be mains operated with battery back up... and they have to interlink with each other, one goes off they all go off

 

[ninjadeathstalk]

Here's a link you may find useful on the Periodic Inspection Report andFire Alarm & Smoke Detector Inspection and Testing of private rented accomidation:
Landlord Safety Certificates and Safety Reports for Landlords.

and also this excerpt from the Landlords Safety Log Book For Rented Properties within Mid Beds district council, but I would assume that all councils would have similar recommendations, it is also a recommendation of the NICEIC and ECA as can be seen below:

"Landlords Safety Log Book For Rented Properties
Houses in Multiple Occupation

Electrical Safety

Electricity Related Facts

• A high incidence of fires in HMOs is caused by electrical related incidents.

• HMOs tend to have more portable electrical appliances that other houses.

• The Health & Safety executive estimates that around 25% of electrical incidents
involve portable appliances.

• In converted family homes in the private sector electrical wiring may not have been adapted to cope with the new, increased usage.

• These properties also tend to be older in which wiring maybe deteriorating.

The Legal Position

The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 apply to anyone supplying electrical equipment as part of their business; this covers equipment supplied under a letting agreement.

The Housing Act 2004 requires that a health and safety risk assessment is carried out in regard to the electrical installation.

Faulty electrical installations that put the health of the occupant at risk will require remedy.

Landlords responsibilities

The National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) and the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) recommend conducting an electrical installation safety check every five years, with a certificate detailing any works required and the date of the inspection.

The landlord should:

• Provide a copy of the electrical safety certificate to tenants.

• Undertake an annual visual inspection of all socket outlets, switches, lamp holders,
distribution boards and safety devices and with each change of tenant.

• Ensure all electrical appliances supplied by the landlord are fitted with a BS 1363 plug and the correct fuse, if not, replace them.

• Landlords require tenants to report any defects and must respond to reported defects immediately.

• Landlords must also provide safety and operating instructions whenever possible."

The full pdf can be viewed here:

http://www.midbeds.gov.uk/Images/Landlords%20Safety%20Log%20Book%20For%20Rented%20Properties_tcm5-6690.pdf

 

[Spudnik]

Can someone actually put up a link to a legal document thats specifically states that smoke detectors are a requirement on a rental property?

Lots of them say 'should' which of course is a little different from 'must'.

Dont get me wrong, as i and LABC always insist on them on refurbs or new builds as the regs state that they are required.

 

[johnnyb]

Always fit smokes and h/detectors in kitchen areas, they save lives and thats the b all and end all about it.