PIMS.co.uk has just found out from the Govt.UK website, that it is planning to review whether new rules should be introduced on mandatory smoke and carbon monoxide alarms installation in all private rented homes.

The review is planned for next month on the conditions of rented homes and was announced by ministers on 20th November.

There are already stringent rules in place that require landlords to ensure that properties rented out as homes must reach a good standard offered by their living conditions.  There are many areas that are covered and include high standards of repairs, annual gas boiler checks, cutting out damp and good levels of ventilation and lighting.

Approximately 88% of homes are now fitted with smoke alarms and the amount of house fires and injuries have been drastically cut and are now at their lowest ever level since the introduction of the government’s “fire kills” campaign.

The government will be asking for views from the private rented sector when they publish the discussion paper. Other interested parties will also be asked to provide feedback on whether the system of regulation for private rented homes ensures adequate conditions and safety, or whether it could be improved or simplified, including on the technical rules and issues around installing carbon monoxide and smoke alarms.

The Lords have made an amendment to the Energy Bill on the 19th November which hands power to the government to introduce the requirement for all rented homes to have smoke and carbon monoxide alarms fitted.

It states on the website that this measure will only be implemented if support of this is received back from the discussion paper, which will consider the technical issues and current overlapping regulatory regimes.

Speaking in the Lords, Baroness Stowell said:

“We will now take forward a wide ranging and fundamental review into property conditions in the private rented sector, considering very carefully the case for requiring landlords to install carbon monoxide alarms and/or smoke alarms in their properties. We will also engage widely with interested organisations including, housing charities, tenant groups and professional bodies.

“In addition to considering whether smoke and carbon monoxide alarms should be required in privately rented housing, the review will also look at the minimum standards tenants should expect when renting a property.”