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Original poster

5 months in, still no smoke alarms

25 replies

NorrisCole · 03/09/2014 23:57

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?

OP posts:
MajesticWhine · 04/09/2014 00:00

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 · 04/09/2014 00:16

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 · 04/09/2014 10:29

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 · 04/09/2014 10:33

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 · 04/09/2014 10:53

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 · 04/09/2014 10:56

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

LIZS · 04/09/2014 10:57

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

figgypuddings · 04/09/2014 10:59

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 · 04/09/2014 10:59

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 · 04/09/2014 11:04

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 · 04/09/2014 11:05

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 · 04/09/2014 11:07

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 · 04/09/2014 11:46

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

Sunnyshores · 04/09/2014 11:48

just re-read 5 months, madness

RenterNomad · 04/09/2014 11:55

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 · 04/09/2014 12:07

good point, renternomad. Please check, OP.

Original poster
NorrisCole · 04/09/2014 12:51

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

OP posts:
fackinell · 04/09/2014 12:59

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

wowfudge · 04/09/2014 15:03

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 · 04/09/2014 16:05

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 · 04/09/2014 16:08

Oh, boy.

Sunnyshores · 05/09/2014 10:28

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

mitsi31 · 06/09/2014 15:42

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 · 07/09/2014 13:02

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 · 07/09/2014 20:37

Just buy one yourself

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