Smoke alarm rules for Landlords

suestew

I know it’s the tenants responsibility to regularly check the smoke alarm but what are the rules when you have a change over of tenants?

The agency i use have checked in the tenants and on the inventory they have noted the alarm was not tested and to check with Landlord if it’s working. I don’t live near property so i’ve emailed them telling them to check it’s working as a matter of urgency, their reply is it was tested prior to tenants moving in. I have no proof of this so it worries me if it’s actually been tested and obviously if there was a fire it’s putting peoples life’s at risk plus i assume ultimately i’d be held responsible not the Agency? I pay them for full management.

Comms69

Surely it's a case of calling the tenants, apologising and asking them to check the smoke alarms are working.


You don't have a time machine, so concerning yourself with what hasn't been done is doing no-one any favours.

need_an_answer

IMO the check in inventory should give you an indication of the smoke alarms current status.

I appreciate every inventory is done differently but it is good practice to highlight on the check in inventory if the alarm is working and if battery operated the last time they were changed (in our properties we do this between tenants)

The incoming tenants should then check the information on the inventory is correct by testing the alarm if its not working then presumably they will at worst note it on the inventory and sign it and at best report it to the agent as a fault to be investigated.

I think you may have an inventory clerk who could have done better and I would possibly bring it to the attention of your agent ,afterall that's the sort of thing they should be managing on your behalf.

In the interim you could email the tenant to ask them to check,however going forward I would consider it to be an agent thing to check

I have seen inventories worded many ways but they usually boil down to "all items checked prior to tenant occupation and found to be in working order" or
" item untested"
does your inventory have any wording to support the claim that the items are tested.

suestew

Thanks need an answer. The inventory clearly states it hasn’t been tested and it’s noted that they need to check with me but in an email they say they tested it. What worries me is if i hadn’t asked for a copy of inventory i’d be none the wiser and there is no proof they have done it

ACG

Ask them to email you to confirm it is working.