All-Party Parliamentary group call for all landlords to fit CO alarms

All-Party Parliamentary group call for all landlords to fit CO alarms

11:05 AM, 10th November 2017, About 7 years ago 23

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The All-Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group (APPCOG) campaign titled Carbon monoxide alarms: Tenants safe and secure in their homes is looking to improving current regulations for rented properties and make it compulsory to fit carbon monoxide alarms.

Alok Sharma MP, Minister of State for Housing and Planning, is backing a report by the APPCOG that proposes landlords must provide a CO alarm in properties containing any fuel burning appliance, as opposed to just solid fuel appliances.

The APPCOG writes: “This report has never been of greater significance, both in light of the Government’s White Paper and following the recent tragic Grenfell Tower fire, which have highlighted the need for a fundamental review of health and safety regulations to protect tenants in England.”

The Government has also announced their consultation on the reviews by the DCLG.

Click here to see the APPCOG website.

Barry Sheerman, Labour MP for Huddersfield and Parliamentary Officier and Co-Chair of the APPCOG said: “Housing regulations have become a pressing issue with pressures on housing market provision, more people moving into the rental market, and the population growing, we have to make sure that people are safe and secure in every home from CO.”

In 2004, one of his Sheerman’s constituent’s lost her son to CO poisoning and as a result she set up the Dominic Rodgers Trust. Since then, Barry has worked closely with the Trust and the APPCOG to help raise awareness, push for greater Parliamentary action and bring together Parliament, business, gas experts and many others to tackle this issue.

It is currently compulsory for all Landlords in Scotland to fit CO alarms but not in England and Wales where it is estimated 1.6 million rental homes could be at risk fro carbon monoxide poisoning.

 


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Rob Crawford

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11:37 AM, 11th November 2017, About 7 years ago

I do find some of the comments on this thread disappointing. I was surprised that the requirement for Carbon Monoxide detectors was not included in the last regulation. Even so under H&S Regs a landlord is required to provide a safe environment for their tenants. A risk assessment should identify what is required. Gas Safe (the experts) recommend that Carbon Monoxide detectors are fitted where gas appliances are used. As such this is the basis to fit them. I believe also that owner occupiers should also install them especially in blocks of flats may be mixed with rented property. The law is the minimum standard that I see landlords hiding behind. But the law is the bear minimum. It is the risk assessment carried out to ensure tenant safety that dictates what safety devices should be fitted above and beyond the law. We need to promote ourselves as responsible landlords.

H B

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12:09 PM, 11th November 2017, About 7 years ago

Of course my properties have carbon monoxide alarms. I have them in my own home and would not consider providing a home to someone else without them.

Rob Crawford

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15:41 PM, 11th November 2017, About 7 years ago

Reply to the comment left by David Smith at 10/11/2017 - 13:00
Personally I feel that as the cost of installing a carbon monoxide detector and its administration is minimal the confusion that would exist in defining what types of boiler would or wouldn't need a detector is not worth considering. In any case if the boiler is faulty ( faulty vent) it could still leak carbon monoxide into the property. This is why Gas Safe recommend carbon monoxide detectors are fitted where any type of gas appliance is fitted.

Chris @ Possession Friend

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17:28 PM, 11th November 2017, About 7 years ago

If Co2 alarms are important enough to be required in the PRS, then their important enough to be required in EVERY home.
I, for one landlord are sick of the PRS being singled out for everything from Energy efficiency to Co2.

Jireh Homes

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20:30 PM, 11th November 2017, About 7 years ago

Fitting of CO Detectors has been a requirement in the Scottish PRS since Dec 2015, but sensibly no requirement they be hard wired. It is also a check item on the annual Gas Safety (as is now fire alarms). Scottish Government has also been very prescriptive on their location, which many landlords and gas fitters are not aware off. Checking operation at periodic inspection visits (along with fire alarms) is an additional task, but not to onerous. However, as with fire alarms (including hard wired) they have a limited life and thus good practice to annotate with installation / expiry date. Long life (7 year) alarms may be purchased for less £20, so a small price to pay for peace of mind.

Chris @ Possession Friend

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20:32 PM, 11th November 2017, About 7 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Jireh Homes at 11/11/2017 - 20:30Oh, so its not just the UK parliament who are biased against the PRS, the Scottish government is as well. !!!
Par for the course really isn't it, - PRS are the whipping boys !

Rob Crawford

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21:50 PM, 11th November 2017, About 7 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Chris Daniel at 11/11/2017 - 20:32
The difference between an owner occupier and rented is that owner occupiers manage their own destiny. A tenant relies on the landlord who is providing a service. I am pretty sure housing associations and councils will also be mandated to fit carbon monoxide detectors, especially as it's been linked to Grenfell. With respect, the chip on your shoulder does you no justice!

Chris @ Possession Friend

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22:18 PM, 11th November 2017, About 7 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Rob Crawford at 11/11/2017 - 21:50
Social Housing doesn't have to comply with the Energy requirements, - what's your excuse for that ?
Is it okay for Social tenants to occupy energy inefficient Homes, but not PRS ?
I'm one of the majority of landlords who feel, justifiably from a number of fronts, that the attack soley on the PRS is unwarranted. - ( so if that's a chip, then its been put there )

Rob Crawford

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20:01 PM, 12th November 2017, About 7 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Chris Daniel at 11/11/2017 - 22:18The attack on the PRS is a wider issue. The subject of this threat is the sensible installation of carbon monoxide detectors of which I am certain the majority of responsible landlords have already fitted. Don't let your greivance distort you good judgement on this. End of.

Mike D

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10:34 AM, 13th November 2017, About 7 years ago

And can the All Party Committee tell me,
'How many of them have them fitted in their homes'?

Arh....i thought Not!!

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