Following on from our previous guidance notes for Landlords and tenants on the new Renting Homes Act, where the new regulations come into effect in July 2022, this week we will focus again on the “Fitness for Human Habitation” element for smoke alarms. This new FFHH standard places an obligation on the landlord to ensure the property is safe and that any defects are dealt with efficiently and effectively.
These new requirements stipulate that it is the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that their rented accommodation in Wales must be fitted with mains-powered and interlinked fire alarms with at least one smoke alarm installed on each storey of the dwelling.
Power supply: All fire alarms must be powered either from the mains electricity circuit or a dedicated mains circuit from the consumer unit.
Interlink: Smoke and heat alarms must either be interlinked by cable or by wireless radio-frequency interlink. Carbon monoxide alarms do not have to interlink with the smoke and heat alarms.
It is important to understand that where a landlord fails to comply with these requirements, the dwelling is to be treated as if it were unfit for human habitation. The landlord requirements relating to installing smoke alarms will not apply to existing tenancies that convert to an occupation contract until 15th July 2023. However, from 15th July 2022 all new contracts will need to comply with these requirements.
Welsh Government has produced some supplementary legislation and guidance on the changes for landlords and tenants, you can find out more by clicking here: https://gov.wales/landlords-housing-law-changing-renting-homes
Questions? You may have several questions about the landlord changes coming in July 2022? If you would like to have a face-to-face meeting with one of our letting consultants, please feel free to contact our award-winning team at any of our branches below:
Radyr: 📞 02920 842124 📧 radyr@mgy.co.uk
Cardiff Bay: 📞 02920 465466 📧 bay@mgy.co.uk
Birchgrove: 📞 02920 529026 📧 birchgrove@mgy.co.uk
Pontcanna: 📞 02920 397152 📧 pontcanna@mgy.co.uk
Whitchurch: 📞 02922 745848 📧 whitchurch@mgy.co.uk
Our experienced team of letting consultants are here to support landlords and tenants through this process, over the coming weeks we will continue to update you on each specific element on the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 through our social media channels and our website so you can be informed and aware of the changes to update properties and documents accordingly.
