5 months in, still no smoke alarms

[NorrisCole]

I moved into this house in April, it's privately rented.

The house was rented out for 6 years to another tenant before I moved in.

On moving in, I noticed there were no smoke alarms in the property.

I was assured this would be sorted and they would be fitted the week I moved in.

I have been asking and asking since and been promised but nothing yet.

I've contacted the letting agent and the landlord directly, both promised to sort it but it's not been done.

I'm getting nervous now.

What can I do?

[MajesticWhine]

You could probably do it yourself if it is making you feel very.nervous. in some areas the fire service will install them for free.

[fackinell]

Your LL is breaking the law, as is the agent. Inform them of this tomorrow and you should see some action. I ended up buying two in my rented accommodation with the intention of taking them when I left. I couldn't do it in the end, I would never have forgiven myself if the next lot didn't get around to fitting any and something happened.

[wowfudge]

Really? Is the LL breaking the law? If the house was built before June 1992 and is not a HMO I don't believe there is a requirement for the LL to provide smoke alarms, although a good landlord would install them and mains operated ones are better than battery operated as no one can forget to replace the batteries, or take the batteries out to stop them bleeping when they are running down.

[gamerchick]

Go to b&q.. buy a couple of smoke alarms and clag them to the ceiling outside your bedroom and one in the hall.

They have carbon monoxide detectors in a sale at mine atm also.

[specialsubject]

it's not a legal requirement unless it is an HMO - but at a fiver each it is bonkers not to have them.

go buy two for now and stick them up. Then continue to argue, and consider whether you want to renew this lease.

my rental has two smoke alarms, both new at the start of this tenancy, and a CO alarm. Total outlay £30. Why would any landlord not do this?

[LIZS]

Can't yourself, then take them if you move on .

[LIZS]

Sorry can't you fit them yourself , then take them if you move on.

[figgypuddings]

Are you in Scotland?

Here, it is a legal requirement. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms have to be wired in to the electrics.

[fackinell]

Under the consumer protection act 1987 they can be fined up to 100k and receive a prison sentence should a tenant be killed as a result of a fire in which the landlord hasn't maintained the safety of the residents.

My mistake, not illegal but definitely not approved of. It should be IMO

[SixerofthePixies]

I believe the fire brigade have a service that fits them for free (this may be means tested tho or only apply to certain people) but worth checking out if you need to.

However they are very cheap, you need one on each floor (presumably 2?) so probably about £15 in total. For something that could save your life. Just do it yourself. You could always send the receipt to the LL and see if he'll reimburse.

[specialsubject]

indeed. Who wants to risk the tenant or the house?

There is some talk of mains-operated ones becoming a legal requirement at some stage. Of course anyone who takes the batteries out 'because of annoying beeping' is a Darwin award candidate.

[LadySybilLikesCake]

I had to buy one for my last house and I left it there when I moved out. Just buy one, they are not expensive.

[Sunnyshores]

A landlord should do it, but really . . . you'd rather spend 6 weeks complaining and risk your life? Go and buy one.

[Sunnyshores]

just re-read 5 months, madness

[RenterNomad]

Buy the alarms, fit them, and send copies if the receipts to both the LL and agent.

Also start investigating what other corners they've cut. Have you got an in-date gas safety cert? Has your deposit been protected?

[specialsubject]

good point, renternomad. Please check, OP.

[NorrisCole]

Hi thanks for the replies.

I'm in Scotland and it is a legal requirement here.

I contacted the fire service and they said they couldn't do anything without the landlords consent.

I don't have a gas safety certificate either and I'm chasing that up too.

I'll go out today and buy some smoke alarms, I would have preferred the mains powered ones to be fitted but I'll get some until they sort it out

[fackinell]

Ahh that'll be why I thought it was law then, Norris. I'm in Scotland too.

[wowfudge]

I'd be giving my notice at the earliest opportunity OP. Some people do not deserve to be taking rent from others when they have blatant disregard for the law. It's people like that who give LL a bad name and the agent is no better.

[specialsubject]

I think the phrase rhymes with 'clucking bell'.

given notice and report. Not sure on scottish law, but if it is the same as England you should have had that gas cert before you moved in. Report their arses.

[RenterNomad]

Oh, boy.

[Sunnyshores]

OK, without a gas safety too - you should report them and the letting agent.

[mitsi31]

Im in a private let and have 2 smoke alarms one that runs of the electricity and one thats battery operated I was told by my letting agent that a carbon monoxide alarm is not a legal requirement its up to me to have one im in scotland too

[specialsubject]

A CO alarm is 'belt and braces' with a modern boiler; they are 'room sealed' and so even unburnt gases can't escape.

BUT sometimes belt and braces is a good idea. They are under £20.

[LL12]

Just buy one yourself