No Smoke Alarm - House Inspection Soon

Legacy_user

Hi There :j

Just seeking a bit of friendly advice, I've noticed the flat I moved in to a couple of months ago has no smoke alarms. I have a house inspection soon where somebody from my agency will pop in and do the usual, make sure I'm not trashing the place etc.

Am I able to ask for smoke alarms? Or will it likely be a case of having to buy stand alone ones? I don't particularly feel comfortable not having them as it's a small flat and I live alone.. Wouldn't like to be caught short!

My ceramic hob is also very damaged (it hadn't been cleaned upon moving in but the check-in inspector told me not to worry as if there are any issues when I move out they have to give me some slack for things like that when I moved in...) With the damage on the hob when I cleaned it I noticed it's really worn through some places.... it sometimes smokes so I've taken to not really using it, am I out of line to ask for a new one?


Thanks!

Hannah

jjlandlord

Considering that a fire alarm costs close to nothing, it is surprising that you haven't bought one in months if that makes you uncomfortable.

The flat is small: Quicker to get out.
You live alone: Don't need to worry about others in case of emergency.

Taggo

Call the local fire station (not 999) they should be able to fit you some for free and also give you some home fire safety advice.

Not sure of the legality down there but in scotland a landlord should provide alarms.

Pixie5740

sauceoclock wrote: »

My ceramic hob is also very damaged (it hadn't been cleaned upon moving in but the check-in inspector told me not to worry as if there are any issues when I move out they have to give me some slack for things like that when I moved in...) With the damage on the hob when I cleaned it I noticed it's really worn through some places.... it sometimes smokes so I've taken to not really using it, am I out of line to ask for a new one?

What do the letting agency mean by "cutting you some slack"? Was there an inventory taken when you moved in? You need to return the property in the same state as at the start of the tenancy minus any fair wear & tear. Therefore if the hob is fithly now there's no slack to cut.

If the hob is damaged then report this in WRITING to the address given in your tenancy agreement for the serving of notices.

You can ask for smoke alarms but I don't think there's a legal requirement for the LL to supply them. Smoke alarms aren't very expensive and for peace of mind just buy your own. Perhaps just get permission in WRITING to fit the smoke alarms to the ceiling.

System

jjlandlord wrote: »

Considering that a fire alarm costs close to nothing, it is surprising that you haven't bought one in months if that makes you uncomfortable.
.

As I said in my post, I was cleaning yesterday and noticed that I couldn't see a fire alarm anywhere. Of course I will buy standalone ones and the cost doesn't bother me but obviously I would rather ones be fitted properly.... Living alone = if there is a fire in the night and I don't notice it as I'm sleeping I will be trapped in my room as my windows do not open in my room aside from small top vent ones as I'm on the ground floor.

System

Taggo wrote: »

Call the local fire station (not 999) they should be able to fit you some for free and also give you some home fire safety advice.

Not sure of the legality down there but in scotland a landlord should provide alarms.

Thanks, I'm not sure if they are legally required, will have to look in to it!

System

Pixie5740 wrote: »

What do the letting agency mean by "cutting you some slack"? Was there an inventory taken when you moved in? You need to return the property in the same state as at the start of the tenancy minus any fair wear & tear. Therefore if the hob is fithly now there's no slack to cut.

If the hob is damaged then report this in WRITING to the address given in your tenancy agreement for the serving of notices.

You can ask for smoke alarms but I don't think there's a legal requirement for the LL to supply them. Smoke alarms aren't very expensive and for peace of mind just buy your own. Perhaps just get permission in WRITING to fit the smoke alarms to the ceiling.

No it was the check-in inspector, not the letting agent. They use a private non-biased check-in inspector. I wouldn't leave the flat without defrosting the freezer compartment in the fridge (it's all blocked up with ice... another job I noticed I need to get done) and leaving the oven in the state it was in, though a quick splash of oven pride and about 20 minutes of elbow grease and it was gleaming, though I am a little annoyed that I moved 155 miles and immediately had to clean the oven!

A full inventory was taken with all details marked, the man said that because there are a few picky things like a couple of paint marks on the wall and the oven wasn't clean that when I move out if there is anything like marks on the carpet etc. they will be likely to cut slack as the previous tenants left me with things to do in the property.. I was a bit annoyed as I'm a fastidious cleaner and I would much rather they steam cleaned the oven and then inspected the property thoroughly when I leave.. seeing as I paid £90 for this guy to do my check-in and will have to pay £90 for the checking-out and I know when I leave the property it'll be sparkling...

Basically when I did clean the hobs, I noticed they are worn right down in places and they are in really bad shape.. I only used a generic hob cleaner and they are just a mess. They're atop of the oven which has also seen better days.. I want to bring it up at the house inspection and then immediately follow it up in writing.

princeofpounds

No it was the check-in inspector, not the letting agent. They use a private non-biased check-in inspector.

ho ho ho...

1) The check-out inspectors merely produce a report. They do NOT get to decide what gets deducted from your deposit.
2) Whilst to be honest I've never come across a bad one, realise who employs them; it's not you.
3) Whilst a decent LL *may* decide to cut you some slack, there is no 'give and take' to the process. If you are given damage in one area, it is not to be balanced against damage you have caused in a different area,

I hope the hob damage was mentioned on the check-in.

If you have any issues, it is always best to report them in writing promptly. Even if you aren't that bothered about getting a repair, it protects you against unwarranted claims against your deposit.

Given your ceramic hob is now smoking of its own accord, I think a repair is fully necessary.

System

princeofpounds wrote: »

ho ho ho...

1) The check-out inspectors merely produce a report. They do NOT get to decide what gets deducted from your deposit.
2) Whilst to be honest I've never come across a bad one, realise who employs them; it's not you.
3) Whilst a decent LL *may* decide to cut you some slack, there is no 'give and take' to the process. If you are given damage in one area, it is not to be balanced against damage you have caused in a different area,

I hope the hob damage was mentioned on the check-in.

If you have any issues, it is always best to report them in writing promptly. Even if you aren't that bothered about getting a repair, it protects you against unwarranted claims against your deposit.

Given your ceramic hob is now smoking of its own accord, I think a repair is fully necessary.

Haha be rest assured I know that for sure. Though I must say, I've used several letting agents and this one has by far been the best, prompt replies, helpful staff and family-run.. It has made all the difference to my moving.

Hob was mentioned, I should say: all damage was written down.


I was more fussed by the smoke alarms, I've no idea how I'm going to affix them to the ceiling.. my step ladders don't take me near! :P

jjlandlord

Months without even noticing whether there was in fact smoke alarms (in a small flat...), then suddenly it's a big deal.

Unless the building is less than about 20 years old there is no obligation to have such alarm fitted (unless there are special rules for flats, which I'm not aware of).
Therefore, obviously you can ask for one, but you cannot demand one.

Tiddlywinks

The hob is probably smoking when used simply because of the dust / burnt remains / lack of recent use. In the same way that a gas fire smells of burning when first used after warmer weather.

Just buy a smoke alarm rather than waiting for a formal fix - isn't peace of mind worth that?