Landlords and letting agents are not up to speed with the law in the lettings sector, warns an industry trade body.
The Association of Independent Inventory Clerks (AIIC) reports that its members frequently receive queries about new industry regulations from landlords and letting agents, particularly laws regarding carbon monoxide and smoke alarms, and window blinds.
Landlords and Letting Agents Not Up to Speed with the Law, Warns AIIC
Since October 2015, it has been compulsory for landlords and letting agents to install smoke alarms on each floor of every rental property where someone is living, partially living or is deemed a habitable area. Bathrooms, for example, are considered habitable areas.
Landlords or their agents must also fit carbon monoxide alarms in rooms with a solid fuel-burning appliance, including wood burners and open fires.
The AIIC says that the most common queries from landlords and letting agents regarding these laws are the required location and type of alarms, as well as when they need to be tested.
This guide to fire safety will ensure that you stick to these important regulations: /guide-fire-safety-rental-property/
Additionally, the AIIC claims that its members have also received queries from landlords and letting agents relating to safety requirements for blinds and curtains.
In 2014, the British Standards Institution introduced a new set of safety requirements, aiming to address the child safety risks posed by blinds and curtains.
The rules mean that any blind installed with cords and chains must have breakaway connectors, and cord and chain safety retainers. The cords and chains must also be maintained at a minimum of 1.5 metres from floor level.
All new blinds and curtain tracks fitted by a professional must pass the new standard, meeting the necessary safety requirements and test methods.
If an accident involving a non-compliant blind or curtain track takes place in a rental property, the landlord could face prosecution from Trading Standards.
The Chair of the AIIC, Patricia Barber, is concerned: “A worryingly large number of letting agents and landlords are still completely unaware of some important new regulations according to our members, who are being asked to explain health and safety rules.
“There is no excuse for anyone in our industry to ignore regulations – this could be dangerous and very costly in the long-run.”
Barber insists that all landlords and letting agents must strive to ensure that they are clear on all their legal obligations, and has urged other trade bodies to publish as much helpful information as possible.
She adds that in the rapidly developing lettings sector, there is likely to be much more new legislation in the future, so it is important for landlords and letting agents to keep an eye on the ball.
Remember that Landlord News provides the latest information and updates for landlords, including any changes to the law.