Rented flat - who should pay?

[Fitbunny]

I'm renting a flat and when I moved in there was no carbon monoxide detector there so I bought one. It started beeping and I told the agency who I rented it off and they called someone to check the boiler. It turned out there was no carbon monoxide leak and the plumber thought the detector might have been faulty. The agency is trying to make me pay for the plumber, can they do that?

I fear that it's you OP. Carbon monoxide testers are only needed in rentals which use solid fuel...and you installed it...so it's your fault the plumber was called.

Yes, in this instance it will be you that is liable for the cost.

Yep 100 % your cost OP
Not the agencies liability.

If your CO detector starts beeping, you should call the gas emergency service, not the rental agency.

Wow I disagree and think the landlord needs to pay this. It is their responsibility to ensure the property is safe and the alarm was going off so you were well within your rights to get someone out.

But it was the op's alarm, and the alarm was defective.

How long have you had the detector? You do know you need to change the batteries yes?

Have they checked all gas appliances or just the boiler?

Plus I would point out to the agency that they should have a carbon monoxide alarm as well working smoke alarm.

I think because you bought and fitted it, you might need to pay.
Had there been a fault then obviously it would have been the landlords job to fix it but a call out fee to an alarm you provided might be arguable.

If you are England see here www.gov.uk/government/publications/smoke-and-carbon-monoxide-alarms-explanatory-booklet-for-landlords/the-smoke-and-carbon-monoxide-alarm-england-regulations-2015-qa-booklet-for-the-private-rented-sector-landlords-and-tenants send to them point out the law breakage and ask them to maybe reconsider charging you

@mamange

Wow I disagree and think the landlord needs to pay this. It is their responsibility to ensure the property is safe and the alarm was going off so you were well within your rights to get someone out.

But unless the house uses solid fuel, a detector of this nature is not considered necessary by law...so the landlord was not at fault for not installing it....OP wanted to make sure for some reason...so she installed one.

her choice. She's now cost the landlord money.

This is quite scary, some of the advice on here is very wrong. A CO detector should be in the same room as a fuel burning appliance, so a boiler, open fire etc.
If a CO detector is beeping, it is generally a sign that CO is present in the atmosphere and the gas appliance it is near should be inspected as a matter of urgency. It is NOT an issue for the gas supplier to deal with.
I think (but am not sure) that it became law in 2015 for all rented properties with gas/solid fuel appliances to have a CO detector fitted by the landlord.
OP your landlord is risking your life. CO is deadly.

It's landlords responsibility to pay for the plumber.
If your property has boiler, then carbon monoxide detector in rental property is compulsory! It's been a law for few years.
The agency ordered the plumber, so therefore it's not your responsibility in either way.

This is the number you should call
The agency chose to call a plumber not you

@TwoStepsAhead34

It's landlords responsibility to pay for the plumber. If your property has boiler, then carbon monoxide detector in rental property is compulsory! It's been a law for few years. The agency ordered the plumber, so therefore it's not your responsibility in either way.

It's only law if you have a solid fuel appliance e.g. Wood or coal burning appliances

However, although it is the landlord's responsibility to provide a smoke alarm and CO2 alarm it is the tenant's responsibility to check and change the batteries.. If it was merely a battery running out then the tenant would be liable for an unnecssary call out.

Some people on this thread really have no idea as to what carbon monoxide is or does to you... so worrying.

Some detectors are sealed units where the batteries cannot be replaced, so a new detector would be needed. I would expect a detector to last for years, they dont need battery changes often.

Landlord doesn't need to provide CO alarm if there is not a solid fuel appliance. Gas is not a solid fuel.

The agency chose to call a plumber, its not the OPs fault that they did that. CO alarms normally last about 5 years

In this instance as it was an unnecessary call out due to a device you owned it would be uou I’m afraid op. Why would the landlord have to pay it?

While CO poisoning is absolutely not to be taken lightly, provision of a detector is NOT the law in English rentals unless there is a solid fuel appliance. It is good practice - my rental has one for the gas boiler.

Smoke alarms are legally required.

Contact your landlord, your contract is with them not the agency.

@Bluntness100

In this instance as it was an unnecessary call out due to a device you owned it would be uou I’m afraid op. Why would the landlord have to pay it?

OP acted in good faith. Of course they shouldn't have to pay.

@dementedpixie I work in this very area of expertise. Carbon monoxide detectors are required for gas boilers and other gas appliances. Your advice is incorrect, dangerous and potentially deadly. Carbon monoxide can kill people, it's important that people have detectors where they are needed.

You are wrong though
If you want one you can buy one but at the moment they are not legally required for a gas boiler

I apologise, you are technically right. The area I work in it appears goes over and above the legal requirements for England. Other UK countries have different regs. I certainly wouldn't want a gas boiler in my home with no CO detector.