Landlord & Buy-to-Let Magazine | Page 4

For latest show news visit www.landlordshow.info industry news news round Industry backs smoke Got a news story worth telling? email: press.release@propertynet.media alarm rules to save 260 lives The measures aim to help prevent up to 26 deaths and 670 injuries a year. The Government recently announced new regulations requiring private landlords in England to install and check smoke alarms and, in some instances, carbon monoxide alarms in their properties from October 2015. These could save up to 260 lives over the next ten years. A reminder of the importance of smoke alarms came when a landlord was jailed this month following a fire in an overcrowded house with near fatal consequences; the lack of working smoke alarms was a major factor in deciding on a custodial sentence. With occupants at least four times more likely to die in a fire in a home where there is no working smoke alarm, the measures aim to help prevent up to 26 deaths and 670 injuries a year. The draft regulations will apply to rented premises occupied on or after 1st October, excluding licensed HMOs, social housing and other residential buildings already covered by existing regulations. Properties where accommodation is shared with the 2 Landlord & Buy-to-Let Issue 58 • April 2015 landlord may also be excluded. Once implemented, the regulations will require a smoke alarm on every floor where there is