Legislation in the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations 2015 require private sector landlords to fit smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to properties – and to check them regularly.
The new regulations are enforced by the District Council – and in order to levy penalty charges against landlords that do not conform, the authority’s Licensing Committee has approved a ‘statement of principles’ to use to assess fines.
The legislation – which came into force in October last year – states that:
a smoke alarm is installed on every floor of residential accommodation
a carbon monoxide alarm is installed in every room containing a solid fuel burning appliance
a full fire risk assessment is undertaken
Checks are made at the beginning of a new tenancy
Where a local authority believes there has been a breach of the rules a remedial notice must be served requiring the landlord to take action within 28 days – if that does not happen they can levy a fine of up to £5000.
“This new legislation offers protection to the people living in rented accommodation – and gives us the power to ensure it is enforced,” said Deputy Leader of the Council and Housing Spokesperson, Councillor Ian Threlfall.
“We can fine landlords up to £5000 for non compliance, although we hope that in Richmondshire we never homes are safe.”