CO alarms to be made mandatory in rented properties

Landlords will be required by law to install working smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in their properties, under measures announced by Housing Minister Brandon Lewis on March 11. The measure, which is expected to take effect from October 2015, comes with strong support after a consultation on property conditions in the private rented sector. England’s 46 fire and rescue authorities are expected to support private landlords in their own areas to meet their new responsibilities with the provision of free alarms, with grant funding from government. This is part of wider government moves to ensure there are sufficient measures in place to protect public safety, while at the same time avoiding regulation which would push up rents and restrict the supply of homes, limiting choice for tenants. The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) says 40 people die every year from accidental CO poisoning and 4,000 people are treated at A&E departments with symptoms, which can lead to brain damage and strokes.