Tenants at risk because landlords don’t check fire detectors

Mar 4 2010 by Eva Ketley, North Wales Weekly News

PEOPLE living in rented accommodation are at risk because some landlords are failing to check smoke detector systems.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is highlighting the fact that the risk of fire deaths and injuries in the county's rented properties could be reduced by landlords taking more responsibility for the management of their properties.

Alyn Edwards, Conwy County fire safety manager said he has found a large number of families and individuals are living in properties which don’t have working detectors.

"Smoke alarms save lives. I have seen proof of this time after time. However, smoke alarms must be working properly to give occupiers an early warning of fire and allow them to escape in the event of a fire in their homes,” he said.

"Therefore, it is vitally important for occupiers and owners of rented accommodation to ensure the system is working.

“Worryingly, I have visited a number of properties in Conwy County over the last few weeks where smoke alarms are fitted but the landlords have not realised that it is their duty to check that alarms are working correctly and maintained.

"If a manager fails to comply with any management regulation without a reasonable excuse they may be prosecuted by the council and liable to a fine of up to £5,000.

"Smoke alarms that do not work are worse than useless. Landlords should test the alarm system regularly and residents should also test detectors once a week to make sure they are as safe as possible from fire.”

“Residents should also be encouraged to take advantage of our free home fire safety check which is available totally free of charge for all residents in North Wales,” he said.

Landlords can obtain copies of the management regulations from the Office of Public Sector Information website www.opsi.gov.uk and from North Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

To register for a free home fire safety check, residents can call the freephone 24hr hotline on 0800 1681234, visit www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk or text 88365, ensuring you prefix your message with the word HFSC.

judith.philips