Carbon monoxide detector & LA

Drusillamac

Hello everyone,

Looking for some advice. It's coming to that time of year when the heating might be getting turned on. We have a gas boiler and had some problems with it last year. At the time I brought up the fact that I couldn't see a carbon monoxide detector in the flat. The letting agent laughed it off and say apparently that the boiler was a new type that didn't require a detector.

Is he fobbing me off? The boiler is in an airing cupboard/wardrobe inside my bedroom which has me a little concerned. (I know I'm silly for not thinking about it before but the LA is really useless. Took him almost a month to sort out our broken boiler in December!).

westv

The LA is an a.rse. A CO2 alarm (not just a detector) is as important to have in a property with a gas heater as a smoke alarm.

dotchas

1 make sure you have an up to date Gas Safety Cert
2 Buy a carbon monoxide detector if still worried !!

Werdnal

westv wrote: »

The LA is an a.rse. A CO2 alarm (not just a detector) is as important to have in a property with a gas heater as a smoke alarm.

But I think you will find neither are a formal requirement for a LL to supply, unless the property is an HMO, when I believe a smoke detector is required.

LA is talking rubbish as they are a wise investment for anyone with solid fuel or gas heating, so go out and buy one yourself. Battery operated ones are available in most supermarkets, and then take it with you when you leave.

firsttimetom

What a numpty your LA is.

Presumably he doesn't want to spend twenty quid on one, which IMO should be HAVE to be supplied by a Landlord. They are as essential as a Smoke Alarm

But, to tell you it isn't required is just plain dangerous. A tenant being told this, who had previously decided to buy one for themselves, may decide not to based on this 'advise' from 'the professionals'.

I would push the LA for one and if he doesn't provide one, please buy one asap and try and claim your money back from the LA.

Drusillamac

Thanks to everyone for your advice. I had just bought a detector from Amazon and it should be winging its way to us this week.

I spoke to the B/F and it turns out it was the gas engineer (!) that came to fix our boiler that "advised" there was no need for a detector. :mad:

ziggyman99

I only suggest CO alarms were properties have open flue boilers or gas fires. They are not a legal requirement and are not absolutely necessary for room sealed boilers that are properly maintained.
CO alarms are required if there are flues through voids, but only until Dec 2012 when inspection hatches will be needed.

The gas engineer was correct.

Gordon_Hose

I have a brand new combi-boiler installed in my brand new flat.

The first thing I did was buy a CO alarm.

ziggyman99

Gordon_Hose wrote: »

I have a brand new combi-boiler installed in my brand new flat.

The first thing I did was buy a Co2 alarm.

CO2 alarm? Never seen one of those. Doesn't it go off every time you open a can of coke?
It's not a bad thing to do and gives people that extra peace of mind but a ROOM SEALED boiler will not allow CO into the room if it's properly installed and maintained.

jjlandlord

Werdnal wrote: »

But I think you will find neither are a formal requirement for a LL to supply, unless the property is an HMO, when I believe a smoke detector is required.

Yes, if property is not an HMO landlord has no obligation to install any detector.

So while the LA's reply was rubbish indeed, they still don't have to install a detector.

Gordon_Hose

ziggyman99 wrote: »

CO2 alarm? Never seen one of those. Doesn't it go off every time you open a can of coke?
It's not a bad thing to do and gives people that extra peace of mind but a ROOM SEALED boiler will not allow CO into the room if it's properly installed and maintained.

Yes, it's a night 'mare when we have a party. Now we just rave to the repetitive beep once the first vodka and coke is poured

Edited