New landlord regulations

Current housing minister Eddie Hughes suggests that potential changes to the rules will include carbon monoxide alarms becoming mandatory in rooms with a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers) in both private and social rented homes, and carbon monoxide alarms becoming mandatory upon installation of any heating appliance (excluding gas cookers) in all tenures through building regulations.

Private and social landlords will be expected to repair or replace alarms once they have been made aware that they are faulty, while smoke alarms will become mandatory in all social rented homes.

The Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is urging all private landlords not compliant with the new regulations to begin installation and repair of these alarms immediately, as they risk being fined for breaching the rules as soon as they come into force.

In response to the announcement, Timothy Douglas, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Propertymark says:

“The current regulations only oblige landlords to check that alarms are in working order on the first day of a new tenancy. Ahead of implementation, agents and their landlords should start now to plan for the changes and the impact on management practices going forward.”

Mackenzie Smith’s Lettings Manager, Tracy Cook, adds, “At Mackenzie Smith, we pride ourselves on being up to date on lettings legislation and would be happy to speak to any landlord who would like advice on current and upcoming regulations that are in consultation or going through the Houses of Parliament at present."

To see how our expert team can help you to remain legally compliant with any lettings properties you may own, contact (01252) 514000, or email, lettings@mackenziesmith.co.uk.