legislation
Law changes require all social housing providers to fit smoke alarms in rented accommodation
Following an announcement from Housing Minister, Eddie Hughes MP, on 23 November, all housing providers will now be required by law to install smoke alarms in all social housing.
Carbon Monoxide alarms must also be fitted in social and private rented properties with fixed appliances, such as gas boilers or fires.
The move, which comes after a two-month consultation, is designed to make people living in social housing feel safer in their homes, says the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
The regulation changes will also require:
- Carbon monoxide alarms to be fitted when new appliances such as gas boilers or fires installed in any home
- Landlords and housing providers in social and private rented sectors to replace or repair smoke and carbon monoxide alarms once they are told they are faulty
The cost of the new requirements to install and maintain alarms will fall on property owners. Guidance to where alarms are fitted and to ensure alarms meet relevant standards will also be updated.
The reforms follow a commitment in the Social Housing Whitepaper published last year, which set out proposals for wide-ranging reforms of the social housing sector.
Jim Bywater, National Fire Chiefs Council, Domestic Detection Lead, said: “NFCC welcomes the changes which we believe will make many more people safer in their homes. We have campaigned for regulations to ensure that regardless of tenure, homes have adequate lifesaving detection.
“The new regulations will contribute to reducing fire and carbon monoxide casualties and fatalities and bring consistency and greater protection to those living in both private and social rented homes.”
This article was originally published by IFSEC Global.
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Law changes require all social housing providers to fit smoke alarms in rented accommodation
Following an announcement from Housing Minister, Eddie Hughes MP, on 23 November, all housing providers will now be required by law to install smoke alarms in all social housing.
James Moore
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The move, which comes after a two-month consultation, is designed to make people living in social housing feel safer in their homes, says the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.