What tenants need to know about fire and carbon monoxide
Rhys Owen, Senior Property Advisor, gives us a rundown on what tenants should be aware of when it comes to fire and carbon monoxide risks in their rental property...
If you’re a tenant, it’s worth fully understanding the responsibilities your landlord has to ensure your safety is of paramount importance. There are many risks throughout the home, but those that involve fire and carbon monoxide poisoning can be particularly fatal.
On July 15th, 2022, the Welsh Government are poised to implement the Renting Homes (Wales) Act, which will finally include (among many changes) the requirement for landlords to ensure a carbon monoxide alarm is located in each room that contains a gas appliance, an oil-fired combustion appliance or a solid fuel burning combustion appliance.
The landlord also has a responsibility to periodically inspect and maintain any gas appliances installed at the property. These inspections must be performed at regular 12-month intervals by a licensed Gas Safety engineer, and tenants must receive a copy of the inspection reports.
The world of compliance is constantly changing and improving, so as a tenant, it’s worthwhile doing your best to keep up with the latest information as often as possible to ensure you’re receiving all of the legal protection you’re entitled to. A rental property is an investment, meaning it’s in the landlords best interest to adequately protect both their tenants and property - and as we have already alluded to, fire and carbon monoxide are two of the highest risk culprits.
Read: Carbon monoxide alarms required from July 15th, 2022
What are common causes of fire in a rental property?
We may not hear of as many house fires as we used to in years gone by, but they still occur, and they still remain a significant source of deaths and injuries in a property. For this reason, landlords and tenants must do all they can to protect themselves against them. In most cases, a fire is easily preventable.
It’s also important to remember that if you live in a property with other tenants, even if you do all that you can to reduce the risk of fire, that doesn’t necessarily mean that all other tenants are doing the same. Being aware is the first step, so don’t hesitate to have a conversation with other tenants as well as your landlord to ensure the property is compliant.
The majority of house fires are caused by:
- Gas appliances - Typically during cooking
- Smoking - Cigarettes and other smoking paraphernalia can easily start an accidental fire that gets out of hand
- Candles - A staple in many properties, but when left unattended there’s a risk of them unexpectedly causing a fire that spreads
- Electric heaters - Many are portable and can easily spread a fire to other flammable materials, fabrics and papers that are nearby
- Wiring - Extension leads, or old, exposed wiring has the potential to easily catch fire
Read: The CPS Homes Renting Guide
Where can you find most sources of carbon monoxide leaks?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced when fuel is burned in common household appliances such as gas ranges, grills, or furnaces, as well as in vehicles. There is no odour, colour, or taste to CO, so it is impossible for humans to naturally detect a carbon monoxide leak. Despite this, CO is incredibly poisonous and has the ability to suffocate people with ease.
Once CO has entered the body, it mixes with hemoglobin which in turn prevents blood from freely transporting oxygen around the body. CO levels can creep up over time, exposing tenants to a wide range of dangerous side effects, including headaches, weakness/dizziness, chest pain, unconsciousness and even death.
Many victims mistake CO poisoning for food poisoning or a bout of the flu as symptoms can be very similar, often discovering the true cause of their sickness too late when significant damage has already been caused by the CO.
Which alarms are landlords obligated to install in rental properties?
In Wales, landlords licensed under the Rent Smart Wales scheme are required to fit at least one smoke alarm on each floor of the property. Tenants are responsible for checking the alarm works after they move in and should do so periodically. Tenants should contact the landlord or managing agent immediately in the event the fire alarm stops working. It may be a case of the fire alarm simply requiring new batteries, but if not, it will need to be replaced.
As of July 15th, 2022, landlords will also be required to place a carbon monoxide in every room that contains a gas appliance, an oil-fired combustion appliance or a solid fuel burning combustion appliance. Carbon monoxide alarms should also be periodically tested, and as with the fire alarm, if it stops working contact your landlord or managing agent immediately.
Looking for the perfect rental home in Cardiff? If so, get in touch with our friendly lettings team here at CPS Homes. We have extensive knowledge of the city and are perfectly situated to help you with your search. Contact us today by calling 02920 668585, e-mailing enquiries@cpshomes.co.uk or by popping into one of our three Cardiff branches.
