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LETTING & ESTATE AGENT
ARLA calls for smoke alarm rule to be delayed
The Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) has raised concerns about the new Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015.
Now passed by Parliament, the new regulations take effect on 1 October. But ARLA says this isn't enough time for landlords and letting agents to comply.
ARLA managing director David Cox said: "Whilst ARLA is entirely supportive of the aims of the regulations, we remain concerned that the Government has ignored calls from across the private rented sector to reconsider the timeframe for its implementation.
"Following final scrutiny of the measures yesterday in the House of Lords, landlords have until the 1 October 2015 to ensure that all tenancies have a smoke alarm fitted on every floor of their property where there is a room used wholly or partly as living accommodation. They will also be required to put a carbon monoxide alarm in any room where a solid fuel is burnt.
"Whilst these measures are entirely sensible, ARLA is concerned that landlords will not have enough time to comply with the requirements, as it is simply impracticable for letting agents, who may manage a huge amounts of properties, to gain access to the properties and to install these alarms on behalf of their clients in the time frame allotted.
"On behalf of its members, ARLA has written to the Government on this issue to raise its concerns and suggested that all existing tenancies should be allowed to have until 1 January 2016 to comply. We were encouraged to see that Lord Marlesford showed support for our proposals in Parliament and again put our suggestion to the Government.
"However, despite our efforts it appears that the Government will now go ahead and implement the new requirements as planned. We urge our members to ensure that they do all they can to ensure that their properties comply with the new regulations before the measures come into effect."
Article courtesy of Landlord Today | Sign up for Landlord Today newsletter | Get this news on YOUR site!
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