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Posted By Anwar Afzal
Who is responsible for supplying and fitting batteries to flats and bunglows which we rent out to the elderly.
Is it the landlord or tenant?
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Posted By John Watson
I thought the dectectors had to be hard wired into the electricity supply to avoid battery failure, or are you talking about a battery back up if the power fails?
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Posted By Ashley Wood
In this case the Landlord because you own the property.
Regards
Ashley
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Posted By Dave Wilson
Like anything mate it depends on the Terms and conditions of the lease.
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Posted By Ashley Wood
I think you will find that should a fire result in loss of life due to a faulty detector supplied by the landlord, the court will take a dim veiw of the landlord. Especialy as the property is being rented to known elderly persons!
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Posted By RA
So are Landlords not legally obliged to supply fire fighting/detection equipment on rental properties?
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Posted By Ashley Wood
If its a domestic building, then no. But if they install such an item i.e smoke detectors then they must be fit for purpose. the only way over ths one would be to write into the rental agreement that the tenant is responcible for maintaining such items in good working order i.e test and change battery of smoke alarm.
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Posted By Ashley Wood
To add to what I have just said. If the rented domestic premises are part of a housing scheme i.e sheltered housing etc, then the landlord will always be responsible under the RR (FS) O.
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Posted By Anwar Afzal
Hi guys
just to clarify, the accomodation is under a sheltered housing scheme but they are independant bunglows and therefore soley independant in that respect.
The smoke detectors are the battery operated type.
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Posted By Ashley Wood
Anwar, I stil feel the same, if you are supplying the detector then you are responcible to make sure it is maintained.
Best regards
Ashley
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Posted By jackw.
Hi all. ready to be corrected, but I didn't think supplying/fitting smoke detectors was a legal/statutory requirement/responsibility, but seen as good practice by many councils/social housing providers?
Cheers
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Posted By Ashley Wood
You are correct Jack in this case, but I think that it would be deemed the responsibility of the equipment provider to make sure that it is serviceable. What's the difference between say a faulty electrical supply and a smoke detector when it comes to the landlords responsibilities?
The safest way forward I would say would be for the landlord to write into the contract that the tenant is responsible for making sure that the smoke detector works correctly. Otherwise include the changing of the battery once a year as part of the building maintenance scheme. You do not have to employ an electrician to change a battery so it could be done by any person carrying out any maintenance.
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Posted By holyterror72
Old people going up and down a ladder. Oh heck!
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Posted By Ashley Wood
There may be a marketing opportunity here for a zimmer frame ladder!
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Posted By jackw.
Hi, the zimmer etc was my next point. Don't you have wardens in your sheltered accomodation? Any i checked with the H&S guy in our housing dep't. In general council housing it is the responsibility of the occupiers.. officially there is no policy. However, it is now part of the checks made by the contractors, who carryout annual servicing of gas appliances. If you don't have a gas supply, as many houses do not. Then you don't get this check.
not sure this helps much.
Cheers
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Posted By Anwar Afzal
Thanks everyone, this helps. As they are independent bunglows irrespective of the fact a schemem manager is available during normal working hours, and they have access to a pull cord in emergency it seems the onus is on the elderly person, however if our contractors want to assist for moral reasons they may do so.
I think i will leave it at that
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Posted By Kate Graham
Landlords often do take the responsibility for smoke detectors, and I'm amazed that a landlord of a sheltered scheme wouldn't do so. Ideally you would change them over to mains-powered ones anyway.
Kate
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Posted By Saracen11
Hi Anwar, your DoC extends as far as your clients assessed needs. I assume they will not be able to just rent one of your properties without having their care needs assessed, demonstrated by the provision of your cord-pull system.
As suggested, if you supply any item or aspect of care/support, beit a detector, meals on wheels or a roof over their head, you have responsibility to maintain/assess/update that provision to ensure it continues to meet your clients/service users needs.
N.B. If applicable, the FS will carryout a free fire survey and fit detectors (with a ten year battery and 'hush' facility) if they feel the a person is at risk... give them a ring!?
Regards
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Posted By Kate Graham
You can only get the free detectors if the tenant asks for them - they won't do it if it's the landlord who asks.
Kate
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Posted By Saracen11
Hi Anwar/Kate, Kate you are right, sorry I didn't make this point clear... I know of several folk (my mum included) that has used this service and rave on about how good it is - I think my mum liked the butch Firemen, but there we go!
Regards
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