Landlords and letting agents in UK not up to speed on legal changes in sector

17th October 2016

A high number of landlords and letting agents in the UK are failing to get to grips with several legislative changes in the sector, according to an industry trade body.

Property Investor Today

The Association of Independent Inventory Clerks (AIIC) says that its members are frequently receiving queries about new industry regulations, particularly those regarding carbon monoxide and smoke alarms and window blinds.

Since October 2015, it has been mandatory for a smoke alarm to be installed on every floor of a rental property where someone is living, partially living or is deemed as a habitable area. Bathrooms, for example, are viewed as habitable areas.

Landlords or their agents must also fit carbon monoxide alarms in rooms with a solid fuel burning appliance, including wood burners and open fires.

The AIIC says that landlords and agents’ most common queries regarding these regulations are the required location and type of alarm as well as when they need to be tested.

What’s more, the association says its members have also reported receiving queries from letting agents and landlords relating to safety requirements for blinds and curtains.

In 2014, the British Standards Institution introduced a new set of safety requirements, aiming to address child safety risks posed by blinds and curtains. The requirements mean that any blind which is installed with cords and chains has to have breakaway connectors and cord and chain safety retainers.

The cords and chains must also be maintained at a minimum 1.5 metres from floor level and all new blinds or curtain tracks which are fitted by a professional must now pass the new standard, meeting the necessary safety requirements and test methods.

If an accident involving a non-compliant blind or curtain track takes place in a rental property, the landlord could face prosecution from Trading Standards.

‘A worryingly large number of letting agents and landlords are still completely unaware of some important new regulations according to our members, who are being asked to explain health and safety rules,’ said Patricia Barber, chair of the AIIC.

‘There is no excuse for anyone in our industry to ignore regulations, this could be dangerous and very costly in the long run,’ she explained, adding that landlords and letting agents must strive to ensure that they are clear on all their legal obligations and has urged other trade bodies to publicise as much helpful information as possible.

The AIIC chief also pointed out that in the rapidly developing industry there’s likely to be more new legislation in the future and so it’s important that agents and landlords keep their eye on the ball.

http://www.propertywire.com/news/europe/landlords-letting-agents-uk-not-speed-legal-changes-sector/