Smoke alarms in rental properties

[super_stuey]

Hey up all, finally actually STARTIN a thread as opposed to just reading them for once! Im sure this has been done before but thought id ask.

Client is doing up an old 2 up 2 down terrace to rent out and got quite a few bits to do. Not a full re-wire just board change, extra sockets, bonding, cooker supply, and general tidy up.

House has 3 scratty old battery smoke alarms and ive mentioned about havin new system fitted but client is unsure due to price etc. Is it just a case of "I cant MAKE you have them"? I don't think it is actually law to have them in rental properties.

Anyone else id just say "fair enough its up 2 you" but shes a family friend and I see her a lot so would like something to go back to her with.

Ps This isnt another RCD?/RCBO?/Own circuit?/Local Lighting Circuit? thread!!!!! lol

Cheers
Stu

 

[Des 56]

As a landlord she has to do a risk assessment for fire safety
A standard house for single family occupancy would require smoke alarms that are maintained ie mains powered with battery back up

Here is a link for her to read about those responsibilities
http://www.esc.org.uk/pdfs/business-and-community/guidance-for/ESClandlords-Oct09.pdf

 

[saveloy]

Hey up all, finally actually STARTIN a thread as opposed to just reading them for once! Im sure this has been done before but thought id ask.

Client is doing up an old 2 up 2 down terrace to rent out and got quite a few bits to do. Not a full re-wire just board change, extra sockets, bonding, cooker supply, and general tidy up.

House has 3 scratty old battery smoke alarms and ive mentioned about havin new system fitted but client is unsure due to price etc. Is it just a case of "I cant MAKE you have them"? I don't think it is actually law to have them in rental properties.

Anyone else id just say "fair enough its up 2 you" but shes a family friend and I see her a lot so would like something to go back to her with.

Ps This isnt another RCD?/RCBO?/Own circuit?/Local Lighting Circuit? thread!!!!! lol

Cheers
Stu

It's not law to have them in rented properties(single occupancy) . It is in HMO. I know this as I've lived in 2 rented properties and neither had them, and I checked up to make sure.
However, a landlord has a duty of care towards their tenants and if, god forbid a fire occured and there were fatalities, there is I believe, a chance that a prosecution could be brought because of failure of duty of care. This is all in my opinion, but I have seen this mentioned in a couple of places.
No disrespect to your friend but this is standard behaviour for landlords, the majority are as stingy as hell when it comes to their tenants. Me I'd rather sleep safe at night knowing my tenants were as safe and protected as could be.

 

[wattsup]

My ma lives in a council house, just had a refit, new ch, new kitchen, new bathroom, rewired...no smoke detectors.
Hence, private landlords have a duty of care, council have none.
(ps the job done was first class, no gripes)

I wired an extension (private house) recently under the same council authority, made me install 2 x smoke detectors. The customer said he wanted 1 (the other spoils decor and not needed, i agreed) council man says no. You have to have two or trouble signing the job off...you couldn't make it up

 

[saveloy]

My ma lives in a council house, just had a refit, new ch, new kitchen, new bathroom, rewired...no smoke detectors.
Hence, private landlords have a duty of care, council have none.
(ps the job done was first class, no gripes)

I wired an extension (private house) recently under the same council authority, made me install 2 x smoke detectors. The customer said he wanted 1 (the other spoils decor and not needed, i agreed) council man says no. You have to have two or trouble signing the job off...you couldn't make it up

Reason the LABC made you do that is because under the building regs the building has undergone a material change of use ie extension.
Couldn't agree with you more though. Don't matter to them if they aint paying.

 

[wattsup]

Yep I do somewhat agree, smokes are a good idea...but the extension was open plan including open plan staircase within same room. So smoke in downstairs room (which completely spoils the ceiling effects lighting) and one at top of stairs...complete bollox, no added safety whatsoever. But trying to argue is like knitting fog, complete nutters, computer says no blah blah. One rule for them a nother for us...

Problems for me are customers whom think I'm blagging extra work...so I love it when council man comes...they shrug shoulders, oh well, are they easy to remove when the council have fkced off?

 

[bramboy]

Doing `GRANT WORK` via our local council they spec co2 detctors and smoke/heat detectors on rented properties.
Any refurbs we do on a `standard house` we install as if it was a new build. LD2 Grade 4 system (if you have bs5839-6!)