The government has confirmed that letting agents and landlords will be
required by law to install working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in their
properties from October.
The move will help
prevent up to 36 deaths and 1,375 injuries a year and, according to the
government, comes with strong support after a consultation across the private
rented sector.
England’s 46 fire
and rescue authorities are expected to offer support to agents and landlords in
their own areas to meet their new responsibilities with the provision of free
alarms, with grant funding from government.
In 1988 just eight
per cent of homes had a smoke alarm installed but now, even before the
mandatory private rental sector measure, it is over 90 per cent according to
government.
“The vast majority
of landlords offer a good service and have installed smoke alarms in their
homes, but I’m changing the law to ensure every tenant can be given this
important protection” says housing minister Brandon Lewis.
Official data
shows that people are at least four times more likely to die in a fire in the
home if there’s no working smoke alarm
If you would like
some advice about buying to let, be you a landlord with a portfolio or someone
thinking of investing in the rental market for the first (second or
third...) time, please pop in and see me at our office in Broadway
west in Leigh or call me for a chat 01702 477754
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