Buy-to-let Responsibilities

Plasticman

GreenB wrote:

mmm.. makes me think if there were no landlords - half the people who are not buying because it is too "expensive" would be living on the street or in a tent.

or maybe house prices wouldn't be so inflated due to the BTL brigade

Kenny4315

I think there are some rules/requirements on smoke alarms on newer build properties when you are letting them out, even when it is not a mulltiple let (although don't believe that a wired alarm was requirement). Don't know the exact year from which the additional rules apply but I did used to have some stuff on it.

lush_walrus

Kenny4315 wrote:

I think there are some rules/requirements on smoke alarms on newer build properties when you are letting them out, even when it is not a mulltiple let (although don't believe that a wired alarm was requirement). Don't know the exact year from which the additional rules apply but I did used to have some stuff on it.

The regulation isnt particularily for flats that are let, it is for any new build flat, which is part of a block and shares communal stairs, means of escape etc.

All new flats are built to current Building Regulations Part B (Fire Safety), which includes fire separation compartments (which slow the progression of fire spread generally through two layers of plasterboard to walls), min 30mins fire doors to all areas which may be used to escape through, which generally equates to all doors bar bathroom doors. All flats must either be fitted with smoke detectors in relevant areas or fire alarms. They are soon to bring in a new Part B which will be stipulating that all fire alarms must be a hard wired system, to prevent people from taking the batteries out or forgeting to check the battery still works.

garysletters

lush_walrus wrote:

The new legislation states that a HMO is considered to be anyone who rents a property to more than 2 people staying at the property, therefore if you rent a two bed flat out to a couple with a child then you should comply, equally if you rent a property to two people, one of which decides to move their partner in without letting you know, you are still found to be in breach of HMO

I can see where your getting the info from, but your not getting its true meaning.
you do not have to supply smoke alarms unless it is a HMO. what these web pages describe is HMO's, which apply if you have 2 SEPERATE people or households living together, or if you have 3 floors of accommodation etc.

If you have a family i.e. mum, dad and child, on a single contract, living together, then it is NOT an HMO, nor does it require a smoke alarm.

I do happen to have smoke alarms in most of my properties, and even CO alarms in some. In my most recent I've put in a fire blanket and extinguisher.

All the rules for HMO's are changing in October anyway (becoming more strict) but each council will be making its own set of criteria about what a HMO is and what/how to enforce it. I have been to several consultation meetings on the subject. I can assure you a 3 person family, living together in a 2 storey house is not and will not be classed as a HMO.!!!


to lipidicman, sorry about before, i just thought my earlier post had been misunderstood! Crossed wires I think!

lipidicman

garysletters wrote:

h
to lipidicman, sorry about before, i just thought my earlier post had been misunderstood! Crossed wires I think!

S'cool. I'm cool. So hard to express tone in our posts isn't it?

Spikey_2

Very interesting reading...........

Spikey