Legal position on quiet enjoyment of a rented home

[OhSoTired25]

I'm hoping someone can answer my question. I've scoured the net and can't figure it out. I rent, and last week was woken up early by the fire alarm being tested in my house. I assumed it was just the yearly test and didn't evacuate. I asked if I could get notice of future tests of the equipment and was told that I couldn't and that I should have evacuated with the staff (my house joins a business premises). Then this morning before 9 the fire alarm went off again for about a minute which is what I'd expect from a test as opposed to a drill. I'm now wondering if this is going to happen on a daily/weekly/random basis. Plus, not knowing if an alarm is a test or not means I'll be forever leaping up and running out of the door fir no reason. And what if I'm not in when it is tested or there is a drill? Do I need to "sign in" and out every day? This really baffles me! I'm afraid to ask the landlord again.
Is this actually allowed in a rented domestic property? By living here have I just signed away any right to quiet enjoyment? I've been here over a decade and live it, but I'm feeling very anxious that I may just have to put up with an unexpected loud siren at all hours! Can anyone give any insight or advice?

Most businesses have a test weekly.
8-9am isn't that early really.

Sorry, I should have added that there shouldn't be any expectation for you do anything except try and ignore it

My flat is above business premises and we have a fire alarm test every Friday. Never had a drill, and you should have forewarning to evacuate - never heard of a surprise "gotcha" drill!

I didn't get told about the regular Friday test, I just got to know when it was. Is there a noticeboard in your communal hallway with info?

Don’t really understand why you have to evacuate with the business?
Does the rental come with your job ?
Surely you should be able to check the alarm on the house separately ?

No it's not, but would you say that would still be the case at a weekend? Plus it obviously was tested in the still on Monday too. Maybe I'm overreacting, just I'm so not a morning person and the idea that this is life going forward is depressing.

"gotcha" drill 🤣🤣🤣
That made me really chuckle!

No communal hallway for notices alas.
I do seem to remember that when I moved in that tests did happen about once a month on a Friday, I think about 11am, but this hasn't really happened for years. I'm sure I've heard the alarm faintly from the business premises, but not from the big ringer in our hallway until today.

No doesn't come with a job. I'm not sure either, I never used to have to I'm sure. I can remember the odd time over the years when I was told an evacuation drill would be happening at a certain time and I did go outside with the staff, but surely I should get notice because otherwise how do they know I'm not out/in the bath/on the loo etc?
Not happy if "gotcha" drills are what's going to happen from now on.

Try working nights, and realising its test day and you have to stay up until they've done it, or be rudely jolted awake just as you finally drop off

I think you need to keep a diary of dates/times to see if there's any pattern, and if it crosses the line from annoying into nuisance. If the latter, you could maybe approach the business to see if they can give you a schedule of tests and drills so you know when they're coming?

Oh no that's awful. I think I'd be really upset at that. Especially as you must be exhausted after work.
I think asking again may just add to the problem. I asked after the drill on Monday if I could get notice of future tests. They said no. Then this morning (sat) 8.50am it went off again. It may be a coincidence but it feels like retaliation for daring to ask for notice of future tests.

Well that isn't on but it could be coincidence. I would keep the diary, and also check your tenancy agreement in case there is any info in there - who knows, maybe even a clause about gotcha drills

Is your landlord running the business premises then, or are they separate?

I'm scanning my tenancy agreement now!
The business is technically my landlord, the manager is the one I asked to give some notice.

Nope, no "gotcha" drill clause 🤣. Would that even be allowed in a tenancy agreement? I wonder how many potential tenants would sign up for that. Maybe things work differently in blocks of apartments?

Landlords put all sorts into tenancy agreements (whether legally enforceable or not) so I thought it was worth asking!

Nothing has happened yet that ypu could kick up a fuss about really. Plus the fact the LL can serve notice if he labels you a hassle. But if you can't find a pattern from recording the dates/time and they seem random, then potentially you'd be in a better position to ask for a schedule or something.

Until that new legislation comes in (is it even still happening?!) about no fault evictions you're a bit stuck imo...

You're under no obligation to evacuate with the staff for drills.

Forget the manager, contact the landlord directly - presumably the business owner? Mention your right to quiet enjoyment. Suggest moving the tests to later in the day, or request notice/a schedule for future tests.

Before ignoring any alarms i would check legally what is required or not and not go on 'you shouldn't have to do whatever'

It is for safety i presume not because thry are bored and have nothing better to do

The whole point of a drill is that you don't know exactly when it will take place surely?

There is no legal requirement for a person to participate in the fire drill of a company they don't work for.

If the alarm is a communal one (covering OPs home and the business) and a fire marshall is responsible for the whole building, there may be something in her tenancy agreement...but this would be quite unusual and likely would have been mentioned when she moved in.

If there is something in the tenancy agreement, they need to give her more information, as - unlike the business - they will have no idea if she is on the premises for a drill or an actual fire.

A fire alarm going off at 8.50 once a week is not going to be enough to infringe your right to quiet enjoyment. The "quiet" bit is not really to do with noise - it's about being able to live in the property in peace, i.e. a right not to (for example) have your landlord constantly showing up to check in on the property, do building works etc.