Private landlords in Shepway are being urged to make sure they have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors fitted in their properties.
Fireman testing a smoke detector
Under new regulations coming into force on 1 October all privately rented homes must have at least one smoke alarm on each floor and a carbon monoxide alarm in rooms with solid fuel heating. Under the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (England) regulations 2015, landlords must also check that all alarms are working when a new tenancy starts.
Shepway District Council will take action against any landlord who does not have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors fitted and in full working order. It will carry out the work itself and issue a penalty charge of up to £5,000.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) has been allocated 14,000 smoke alarms and 1,600 carbon monoxide alarms by the government to give to private landlords in Kent. In partnership with Kent councils’ private sector housing teams it is also organising a series of events from September to November 2015 to give landlords more information about the new regulations and to hand out free alarms.
Check the Kent Fire and Rescue Service’s website for dates and locations of forthcoming events and for more details on this new legislation. http://www.kent.fire-uk.org/your-safety/business-safety/business-safety-advice/private-rental-landlords/