New safety regulations to protect tenants and landlords

This year will see new regulations laid out in Parliament requiring landlords to install fully functional smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in their properties. Although subject to Parliamentary approval, the law is expected to be implemented from Oct 2015. The move has received strong support and is expected to aid the prevention of up to 36 fatalities and 1,375 injuries annually. Government funding will enable fire and rescue authorities to support their local landlords by providing free smoke alarms. The aim is to help private landlords successfully meet their obligations and to protect tenants and properties.

Incredibly, in 1988 only 8% of homes had a smoke alarm installed. Today, 90% of UK homes are protected, and the new law aims to implement sufficient methods to ensure public safety. Every landlord knows the value of installing a reliable and working smoke alarm. They offer the vital few seconds needed to escape a property when fire has broken out. Tenants are responsible for testing each alarm regularly to ensure they are in full working order.

The changes to the current law will require landlords to install smoke alarms on every floor of their property, and carbon monoxide alarms in high risk rooms that feature an installed solid fuel heating system. The obligation that will fall on landlords and agents will be to ensure that working detectors are installed at the time the tenancy begins.

We provide a full property management service to all landlords and property investors, ensuring that you are meeting all required health and safety obligations and that your property’s occupants will be safe and happy throughout their entire tenancy. We provide full property management, guaranteed rent schemes, investor and portfolio services, and council leasing in Wandsworth and the rest of the capital. Our role is to take full responsibility for your property and make sure that every aspect runs smoothly. Our team will ensure your properties comply fully with all regulations and we will locate and secure suitable and trustworthy tenants.