The Fire Kills campaign has returned to highlight the everyday accidents that can cause a fire in homes including information on fire safety for agents and landlords on fire safety in shared or rented accommodation.
As a landlord or letting agent acting on behalf of a landlord you are legally required to install smoke alarms on every floor of a property you let as living accommodation. While the majority (90 per cent) of homes now have at least one working smoke alarm, 23 per cent of people say they never test them.
Home Office analysis has found you are around eight times more likely to die in a fire if you do not have a working smoke alarm in your home. Existing research also indicates that some people are more at risk of fire than others, such as older people and people with disabilities.
The campaign also highlights candles, cigarettes, portable heaters and overloaded extension leads as causes which can lead to fires in any room of a home.
Other Home Office analysis of fires has also found that most accidental fires start with cooking appliances (48 per cent), for example, by something flammable being left too close to the cooker, such as a tea towel.
Propertymark believes it’s essential for people to be aware of fire risks in their homes and would encourage agents to do the same in order to better inform and help people put appropriate measures in place to keep themselves and others safe.
It’s easy to make mistakes. Being alert to hazards after a long day at work, or with distractions at home is never easy.
This is why this campaign is so important – it reminds us of how we can prevent the unthinkable.
At the very least, if you do nothing else, please buy smoke alarms for your home so you and yours can sleep easy.
Image attribution: "Kit Malthouse Official MP Portrait" used under CC BY 3.0 / Cropped from original
More support for ARLA Propertymark members
To help understand your safety responsibilities, ARLA Propertymark members can login and access the fact sheets below.
Fact sheet: Installation of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
Landlords are required to install and check smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in their properties. This is part of the Government’s plans to create a bigger, better and safer private rented sector.
Fact sheet: Landlords’ Legal Responsibilities for Gas Safety (England)
Landlords are legally responsible for the gas safety of their properties. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 outlines what landlords must do to ensure gas appliances, fittings and flues are safe.
Fact sheet: Landlords’ Legal Responsibilities for Gas Safety (Scotland)
Landlords in Scotland must ensure that all properties they let to tenants have a carbon monoxide detector fitted regardless of when the tenancy started.
Fact sheet: Landlords’ Legal Responsibilities for Gas Safety (Wales)
Landlords are legally responsible for the gas safety of their properties. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 outline what landlords must do to ensure appliances, fittings and flues are safe.
Fact sheet: Scottish Government’s guidance for fitting carbon monoxide detectors for landlords
Landlords became legally responsible for fitting carbon monoxide (CO) detectors in their properties from December 2015. The aim is to reduce the risk of CO poisoning and the resulting loss of life and serious injury.
Fact sheet: Gas Regulations Danger Do Not Use Notices
Gas Safe registered engineers have a responsibility to advise landlords when they find dangerous gas installations in a property.
