Smoke alarm batteries in AST rental - who buys new ones?

annetheman

Hi there,

A gas safety visit was conducted by an engineer from the lettings agent for my assured shorthold tenancy flat. 

The agent has just asked me to buy and replace batteries for the alarms. There are none in there, no idea where they went or if they were ever there.

What is strange is that I have lived here for 3.5 years and had 2 previous gas safety checks and both times the alarms were "fine" i.e. must have had batteries in them.

That aside, who should pay for these batteries, the Landlord or me? This link didn't help!

I'm penny pinching because about to deplete all my savings on moving. Thanks for any advice!

[Deleted User]

annetheman said:

Hi there,

A gas safety visit was conducted by an engineer from the lettings agent for my assured shorthold tenancy flat. 

The agent has just asked me to buy and replace batteries for the alarms. There are none in there, no idea where they went or if they were ever there.

What is strange is that I have lived here for 3.5 years and had 2 previous gas safety checks and both times the alarms were "fine" i.e. must have had batteries in them.

That aside, who should pay for these batteries, the Landlord or me? This link didn't help!

I'm penny pinching because about to deplete all my savings on moving. Thanks for any advice!

 You do, a couple of AA won't cost that much! General Maitenance and wear & tear is your responsibility 

davidmcn

annetheman said:

who should pay for these batteries

You should, at your local pound shop. It's a consumable item. You should probably also test them more often than zero times every 3.5 years!

MaryNB

annetheman said:

Hi there,

A gas safety visit was conducted by an engineer from the lettings agent for my assured shorthold tenancy flat. 

The agent has just asked me to buy and replace batteries for the alarms. There are none in there, no idea where they went or if they were ever there.

What is strange is that I have lived here for 3.5 years and had 2 previous gas safety checks and both times the alarms were "fine" i.e. must have had batteries in them.

That aside, who should pay for these batteries, the Landlord or me? This link didn't help!

I'm penny pinching because about to deplete all my savings on moving. Thanks for any advice!

I've always replaced the battery in the smoke alarm when I rented. A 9V battery cost me like £3. 

Do you have any flat mates who may have nicked the battery? In my last place two of my flat mates nicked lightbulbs from common areas and replaced them with the blown ones from their own rooms. 

princeofpounds

It's a bit like lightbulbs - tenant pays. It's covered under a legal duty to act in a 'tenant-like manner'.

annetheman

Thanks all!

These aren't just AAs, otherwise I'd just do it (I have plenty and barely use them in anything). They are weird, big ones. I don't really understand how the smoke alarms passed previous checks! Guess the fairies took them...!

Much appreciated

pinkshoes

You can buy two 9V batteries on eBay for £2 with free postage. 

Why would you even quibble about buying these?? 

davidmcn

annetheman said:

These aren't just AAs, otherwise I'd just do it (I have plenty and barely use them in anything). They are weird, big ones. I don't really understand how the smoke alarms passed previous checks! Guess the fairies took them...!

How weird and big? In my experience PP3 are the norm.

annetheman

pinkshoes said:

You can buy two 9V batteries on eBay for £2 with free postage. 

Why would you even quibble about buying these?? 

What quibble are you referring to?

If it is my responsibility to buy the batteries, I will buy the batteries. If it is not, I will ask for reimbursement. Hence, I have posted a question (this thread) about whether it is my responsibility to buy the batteries; posters before you have helpfully confirmed that is indeed my responsibility to buy them. Cheers to them!

davidmcn said:

annetheman said:

These aren't just AAs, otherwise I'd just do it (I have plenty and barely use them in anything). They are weird, big ones. I don't really understand how the smoke alarms passed previous checks! Guess the fairies took them...!

How weird and big? In my experience PP3 are the norm.

Many thanks - good to know! 

greatcrested

Are they not these? Two for £2.77 is not going to break the bank surely?

I'd not normally recommnd phillips but if you are leaving....

Frankly, not only is it clearly your responsibility to replace the batteries, but for your own protection you should be testing the alarm at least once a month!

dimbo61

Is this a mains wired smoke alarm with battery back up ?
Get back to your lettings agents and ask then how the property has passed a Gas Safe Certificate ?
Has the property got a CO alarm close to the boiler ? Gas hob ? Gas fire ?
Has the property got a current EICR ( Electric Inspection and Condition Report as this should mean the flat has mains wired interlinked smoke alarms.
So one in the main living area and one in the hallway and bedroom !
This depends on the size of the property.
Houses would have one on each floor.