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Distance between spindles in a rented property?

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  • Spamfree_2
    Spamfree_2 Posts: 584 Forumite
    If the landlord has got any sense he will just board the whole thing with plywood, then nobody will be needing to moan at him anymore.
  • 00ec25
    00ec25 Posts: 9,123 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Safety wise the spaces as I say are boarded up so no one can slip through but it doesn't look great. The LL is fine with the makeshift arrangement and the plan to fit spindles ourselves. However what I was wanting to find out is if it would be the LL's responsibility to put them in place, say like it is to have a smoke alarm fitted.
    So absolutely no concern for the family you rent out to then?

    Graham, this thread is about aesthetics. The H&S risks have already been mitigated - albeit it unattractively.
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    So absolutely no concern for the family you rent out to then?
    Just like to point out I'm not the LL in question !

    I was making the point, that if, having been asked, the LL declines to pay for remedial work, and the OP has to, or decides to, resort to legal enforcement, that DOES tell you something about the LL.

    Consequentially (and depending of course on the status of the tenancy) the OP's security of tenure might be at risk.

    Again depending on circumstances, this might be of concern to the OP so should be considered.

    Winning a court enforcement order might be of little consolation if the OP becomes homeless.
  • tbs624
    tbs624 Posts: 10,816 Forumite
    G_M wrote: »
    No legal requirement for a smoke alarm (except in an HMO).
    ...or where the property was built post 1992, in which case there must be a mains powered smoke alarm system, with an interlinked alarm on each floor. Smoke alarms would also be required where a property has had certain building works undertaken.
  • tbs624
    tbs624 Posts: 10,816 Forumite
    00ec25 wrote: »
    Graham, this thread is about aesthetics. The H&S risks have already been mitigated - albeit it unattractively.
    Note that the termporary measures have been put in place by the T/OP themselves rather than by the LL
    we have fastened various planks of wood horizontally as a makeshift safety measure.
    ...and the fact that the planks are horizontal may in itself create a hazard, by creating a ladder that can be climbed by a small child who may then topple over the banister rail.

    A conscientious LL would get the banister spindles made safe
  • GDB2222
    GDB2222 Posts: 26,236 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    tbs624 wrote: »
    ...or where the property was built post 1992, in which case there must be a mains powered smoke alarm system, with an interlinked alarm on each floor. Smoke alarms would also be required where a property has had certain building works undertaken.

    Is that building regs? Is there a duty on a house owner to keep it in working order?
    No reliance should be placed on the above! Absolutely none, do you hear?
  • martindow
    martindow Posts: 10,568 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    tbs624 wrote: »
    ...or where the property was built post 1992, in which case there must be a mains powered smoke alarm system, with an interlinked alarm on each floor. Smoke alarms would also be required where a property has had certain building works undertaken.
    I think this is the case in Scotland but not in England and Wales.
  • Strapped
    Strapped Posts: 8,158 Forumite
    tbs624 wrote: »
    Note that the termporary measures have been put in place by the T/OP themselves rather than by the LL ...and the fact that the planks are horizontal may in itself create a hazard, by creating a ladder that can be climbed by a small child who may then topple over the banister rail.

    A conscientious LL would get the banister spindles made safe

    Agreed, although that doesn't necessarily mean they have to add spindles - boarding up or wire mesh etc would be sufficient. (Although there is then an arguement that the property is not in the aesthetic condition that the tenants rented it in I suppose).
    They deem him their worst enemy who tells them the truth. -- Plato
  • I posted to find out where we stand legally.

    I gather it depends when the house was built. My guess is 1950s (I'm not an expert!) but certainly not prior to that.

    So I understand that it was not a building regulation when built. But that Environmental Health could enforce action if they were to assess it and deemed it a risk.

    Is this correct?
  • GDB2222
    GDB2222 Posts: 26,236 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    I posted to find out where we stand legally.

    I gather it depends when the house was built. My guess is 1950s (I'm not an expert!) but certainly not prior to that.

    So I understand that it was not a building regulation when built. But that Environmental Health could enforce action if they were to assess it and deemed it a risk.

    Is this correct?

    But it isn't a risk, because you have the gaps boarded up. :)

    Have a look at this linky http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/homeandcommunity/privaterenting/repairsandstandards/dg_189195

    And here http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/Privaterenting/Repairsandstandards/DG_189198

    Stair spindle gaps over 100mm would probably be a cat 1 hazard, but the issue could easily be dealt with by boarding over the spindles, which of course you have done. If you removed the boards you have put up, your LL could just put something similar in place, and it would pass the test.
    No reliance should be placed on the above! Absolutely none, do you hear?
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