Failing smoke alarms could cost landlords thousands of pounds
Landlords in Wolverhampton could be hit for thousands of pounds if they fail to have working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
Wolverhampton’s cabinet is expected to agree its statement of principles that will set out proposed enforcement action that could be taken on private landlords who breach the regulations.
A report to committee, which meets on Wednesday, June 5, states that when properties are occupied a working smoke alarm must be provided on each storey where a room is occupied as accommodation.
Regulations also require landlords to fit a carbon monoxide detector in any room used as living accommodation that contains a solid fuel burning combustion appliance.
Landlords must also ensure checks are carried out that each alarm is in full working order on the day a tenancy begins.
But if officers have ‘reasonable grounds’ to believe anyone is in breach of this, they can serve a remedial notice detailing what a landlord must do to comply. And if the notice isn’t complied with, penalty notices will be served.
The report said: “The regulations allow for a charge of up to £5,000. This is a considerable sum.
“Most rented properties are owned by landlords who have one or two properties and incurring full charge might threaten the sustainability of the rental offer.
“However, this must be balanced against the potentially tragic consequences of lack of detection.
“The regulations have been enacted to bring the last stubborn tranche of rented properties up to modern safety standards and a persuasive upper penalty allowed.
“The remedial costs of compliance are tiny compared to the personal and economic costs of death or injury.
“Given the above where it is considered that a landlord has unreasonably failed to comply with the requirements of a remedial notice then the Council will arrange for the alarms to be fitted and a penalty charge notice issued.
“The charge will be £2,500 for a first time failure discounted to £1,000 if the landlord co-operates, registers with the Rent with Confidence scheme and provides details of all properties owned within the Wolverhampton City Council area and assists in arranging for inspection by our officers.
“The charge will be £5,000 for any subsequent failure by the same landlord or business organisation at any premises.”
