Problems with landlord after failed smoke alarm

ThunderHoof

I was instructed by the introductory letting agency to carry out tests on the smoke alarms which I did, during this test the heat alarm failed and continuously sounded for over 20 minutes, I called the landlord's emergency number and it went straight to voicemail, after trying to shut it off for another 30 minutes I removed it from the ceiling with no damage to the unit in order to avoid disturbance to the other tenants. Now the landlord are trying to charge me to refitting the heat alarm. Surely the liability for costs lies with them due to me acting as instructed to test the alarms, the alarm failing and them not responding to the emergency number is a reasonable time frame? Any advice would be appreciated.

dimbo61

So how long have you lived in the property ?
How often do you check all the smoke and heat alarms ?
Is this a HMO or private house as you talk about other tenants ?
Where does it say in your tenancy agreement that you need to check the smoke alarms system and heat alarm.
Did the Lettings agents check the smoke/Heat alarms or any other fire safety inspection get carried out ?

[Deleted User]

I feel that there is something missing - 
If the alarm was malfunctioning why does the landlord propose to refit it?
If you were able to easily remove it without damage, why can you not put it back?
Has there been any explanation of why it sounded for 20 minutes or what the landlord would have expected you to do otherwise?

ElephantBoy57

ThunderHoof said:

after trying to shut it off for another 30 minutes I removed it from the ceiling with no damage to the unit in order to avoid disturbance to the other tenants.

Was it battery operated or wired in?

ThunderHoof

dimbo61 said:

So how long have you lived in the property ?
How often do you check all the smoke and heat alarms ?
Is this a HMO or private house as you talk about other tenants ?
Where does it say in your tenancy agreement that you need to check the smoke alarms system and heat alarm.
Did the Lettings agents check the smoke/Heat alarms or any other fire safety inspection get carried out ?

I've lived in the property for 2 weeks.
It's a private apartment complex.
There is nothing in the tenancy agreement about who is responsible for checking smoke alarms.
This was the email I got from the introductory letting agent:

"Due to the Coronavirus we are not currently carrying out physical property inspections in order to protect both you and our staff.

As smoke alarm tests and property inspections are mandatory in order to comply with the landlords insurance cover, we are asking for your help in providing a video showing  you physically testing each smoke alarm by holding down the central button until the alarm sounds and a video showing each room in the property"

ThunderHoof

brett19852010 said:

I feel that there is something missing - 
If the alarm was malfunctioning why does the landlord propose to refit it?
If you were able to easily remove it without damage, why can you not put it back?
Has there been any explanation of why it sounded for 20 minutes or what the landlord would have expected you to do otherwise?

The landlord has not tested the alarm to see whether it is malfunctioning or not, but I have asked they do this.
The unit is supplied by a 240v mains power cable with a molex style power connector and I did not want to risk electrocution by putting it back in place, especially if the unit is malfunctioning. If I could put it back in safely I would but there is a certain knack to fitting it back in that I cannot figure out.

ThunderHoof

ElephantBoy57 said:

ThunderHoof said:

after trying to shut it off for another 30 minutes I removed it from the ceiling with no damage to the unit in order to avoid disturbance to the other tenants.

Was it battery operated or wired in?

Both, there is a 9v battery and a 240v mains molex type connector going to it.

Angela_D_3

I guess I couldn’t sleep at night without a working smoke alarm.  For your own safety get the damn thing reinstalled ASAP 

Norman_Castle

Smoke alarm or heat alarm connected to a larger fire alarm system? Look online for the manufacturers instruction on how to refit it. Explain you will not do further tests due to the problems caused during this one and their lack of response.

Does your service charge include a cost for testing the smoke alarms?

kazwookie

If you have only been there for a short time, why did the LL or agent not carry out the test before you moved in?

Comms69

Ye in the future when you're asked to do something someone else is responsible for, for free - decline