News 20/09/2022

The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 will come into force on 1 October 2022. From that date, all relevant landlords must:

1. Ensure at least one smoke alarm is equipped on each storey of their homes where there is a room used as living accommodation. This has been a legal requirement in the private rented sector since 2015.

2. Ensure a carbon monoxide alarm is equipped in any room used as living accommodation which contains a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers).

3. Ensure smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are repaired or replaced once informed and found that they are faulty.

The requirements are enforced by local authorities who can impose a fine of up to £5,000 where a landlord fails to comply with a remedial notice.

This booklet provides information about the requirements, who they apply to and how they are enforced. It is designed as a Q&A to cover the most common situations but it is not intended to cover every scenario, nor should it be seen as a substitute for reading the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2022.

These regulations should be considered alongside other relevant laws on fire and carbon monoxide safety in rented homes such as the Housing Act 2004, the Fire Safety Act 2021 and the Building Safety Act 2022.

It is the department’s intention to ensure this booklet is updated whenever there are changes, but it is the landlord’s responsibility to ensure that they are applying the relevant laws correctly.

If, after reading this booklet, you are not clear whether or how the requirements apply in your individual circumstances you should seek legal advice.

Separate guidance is available for local authorities.

 

Landlords information.

It is the aim of PME Estates to exceed the needs a of both landlord and tenant by offering a dedicated and professional  client service. We aim to be the leading independent letting and property management with  in the Northwest.  

PME Estates are a dedicated Residential Letting and Property Management specialists. Our aim is to eradicate the inconvenience of being a landlord by managing the process in full, or part for our clients. As specialists we are fully focused on the priorities and needs of landlord and tenant, and unlike estates agents, our loyalties will not be divided by dealing with property sales and mortgages. 

We can provide and tailor a full professional service ranging from tenant finding to full portfolio management inclusive of referencing prospective tenants, preparing inventory, rent collection, managing repairs to the serving of legal notices . As specialists PME know how to manage property for optimum performance whilst ensuring smooth running tenancies and regulatory compliance giving you the benefit of peace of mind. 

As a member of the UK Association of Letting Agents you can be assured of quality service by knowledgeable, qualified staff. If you are a landlord and we can be of assistance in any way, please do not hesitate to contact us by phone or e-mail and maximise the return on your investment. 

Our Service – For Landlords. 

Visiting the property to do a full appraisal and provide a rental valuation, advice and  guidance that you may require about letting your property. 

Advising you on compliance with the Health & Safety regulations.

Marketing for suitable tenants and your property will be advertised using our corporate orange flag boards, Website portals such as  Zoopla , Find a Property , Property Finder, local newspaper, office and phone marketing if necessary. However, we have excellent contacts with various corporate, university and private personal departments. Most importantly we always have tenants on our growing database.

Accompanying tenant applications to view the property offering advice and selling the benefits to your property.

Obtaining and evaluating, various reference checks.

Preparing  a suitable tenancy agreement and arranging signature by the tenant(s)

Collecting and initially  holding  a deposit from the tenant. The deposit will be forwarded to and be protected by The Deposit Protection Service. www.depositprotection.com

FOR OUR MANAGED SERVICE ALL OF THE ABOVE PLUS 

Preparing an inventory and schedule of if requested or managed. 

Checking the tenant into the property and agreeing an inventory. 

Supervising the transfer of gas, electricity, water and council tax into the tenant’s name. 

Receiving rental payments monthly in advance and paying you promptly, together with a detailed statement from our computerized management systems. 

Arranging any necessary repairs or maintenance up to £150 after liaising with you , in the case of larger works arranging and managing contractors as instructed ,Arranging renewals of the agreement as necessary. 

Checking tenants out as required and dealing with the deposits. Reletting and continuing the process with the minimum of vacant periods to ensure the you receive the optimum return from your property investment.