Free smoke alarms for landlords in Brent

Private landlords in Brent are being urged to snap up free smoke alarms so they are not slapped with a fine when it becomes compulsory later this year.

From October all private landlords must fit smoke alarms on each floor of their rental properties and install carbon monoxide alarms in rooms containing solid fuel burners, such as cookers and heaters, or face a £5,000 fine.

The give away comes as new figures from the London Fire Brigade show whilee 90 per cent of homeowners have alarms, those living in private rented homes are far less likely to have a working smoke alarm.

It is estimated that the new laws will result in around 230 fewer deaths and 5,860 less injuries.

Neil Orbell, assistant commissioner for fire safety, said: “The private rented sector provides homes for some of the capital’s most vulnerable groups and there is no doubt that these regulations will make privately rented accommodation safer and save lives.

“We want to help London’s private landlords meet their fire safety responsibilities under this new law and would urge them to apply for their free smoke and carbon monoxide alarms well in advance of the new laws coming into force this October. Tenants can also play a part in taking responsibility for their own safety by reminding their landlords about the new legislation if there are no smoke or carbon monoxide alarms in their home.”

To apply for a free alarm visit the London Fire Brigade website.