Tenant has removed smoke alarm!

Apodemus

Is it possible that the tenants are smokers? Might explain why they would remove a detector that is not near the source of the cooking.

Tahlullah

I would be inclined to do both. The strongly worded letter regarding their responsibilities and possible breach of tenancy agreement, but also inform them that I am willing to change the type of smoke alarm to assist with false triggers.

That way, if they do it again, you can say you had already given them due warning of the consequences.

Cakeguts

I would issue a section 21. You don't want someone removing smoke alarms in flats it isn't fair on the other residents. I wouldn't even try to negotiate. These tenants don't care about your flat. Find some that do.

csgohan4

Don't CO alarms have a shelf life due to the chemicals used inside?


If that's the case, wouldn't you need to change the Nest sensor every x years? wouldn't that be expensive?

Geoff1963

1. Is it a smoke or heat sensor ? That will stop the guessing.
2. Is there a door to the kitchen ? If so, does it seal well enough to stop the cooking triggering the alarm ?
3. Does the tenant have a short stick / stool to easily press the reset ?

It could be a smoking problem, but I think you'd have to smoke very close to it.

I think the tenant needs reminding that if the insurers came round for a snap inspection, that would risk them being evicted. Think of an airline passenger who refuses to put on their seat belt.

Mardle

Maybe you could talk to your local fire service. Around here they do smoke alarm checks on rented properties.

Cheeky_Monkey

Personally, I see no reason why the OP should have to go to the trouble and expense of fitting a more expensive smoke alarm when the one that has been removed by the tenants did the job perfectly well.

The OP has fulfilled their obligation in that respect and for the tenants to wilfully remove it not only risks their own lives but, presumably, the lives of other people in the surrounding flats. I'm pretty sure that, having removed the smoke alarm, in the event of a fire, the OP's insurance would also be invalid through no fault of their own.

If the smoke alarm was only going off when they were cooking, that is their fault for either not using the extractor (if one is fitted) and if not, opening a window whilst cooking. It's not rocket science.

Arleen

Cheeky_Monkey wrote: »

Personally, I see no reason why the OP should have to go to the trouble and expense of fitting a more expensive smoke alarm when the one that has been removed by the tenants did the job perfectly well.

The OP has fulfilled their obligation in that respect and for the tenants to wilfully remove it not only risks their own lives but, presumably, the lives of other people in the surrounding flats. I'm pretty sure that, having removed the smoke alarm, in the event of a fire, the OP's insurance would also be invalid through no fault of their own.

If the smoke alarm was only going off when they were cooking, that is their fault for either not using the extractor (if one is fitted) and if not, opening a window whilst cooking. It's not rocket science.

It's called being a decent landlord. If the smoke alarm goes off when cooking, it makes perfect sense to replace it, and the one recommended here is really great thing to have + will last many years.

Of course legally OP doesn't have to (at least yet), but for the little bit extra money you make tenants happy, what's wrong with that?

Rosemary7391

Is there maybe a draft that blows smoke from the kitchen to it? I'm tempted to agree that you maybe want to not keep them on, or at least inspect a bit more frequently. No good buying a super fancy smoke alarm if they just remove it !

Doozergirl - poorly sited alarms are a pain. I rented a holiday flat that had one right above the grill. But the existence of one is totally normal and I'm sure not annoying enough for most people to spend £80 on one you can silence from your phone. It seems unreasonable to expect the LL to do this. Move it, get one that isn't stupidly sensitive, that's fair enough. But the tenants should ask.

Cheeky_Monkey

Arleen wrote: »

It's called being a decent landlord. If the smoke alarm goes off when cooking, it makes perfect sense to replace it, and the one recommended here is really great thing to have + will last many years.

Of course legally OP doesn't have to (at least yet), but for the little bit extra money you make tenants happy, what's wrong with that?

As these particular tenants had no thought for other people's safety, I wouldn't be in the least bit interested in keeping them happy. Their actions could have caused a potentially lethal situation - not something I'd be keen to reward them for.