Landlords must abide by new regulations over private rental properties or face prosecution, councillors have been told.
A report presented to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Operations Committee, at a meeting, on Monday evening, outlined the Smoke, Heat and Carbon Monoxide Alarms for Private Tenancies Regulations which came into effect on September 1.
The committee was advised the council’s environmental health department has a statutory duty in the regulation of the private rental sector.
Officers will be incorporating the new compliance checks during routine inspections and will be informing local estate agents of the updated requirements.
Under the new regulations, a smoke alarm must be installed in a property’s main living room and in a hall/landing on each storey; a heat alarm must be installed in every kitchen. a carbon monoxide alarm must be installed in any room or hall/landing which contains a fixed combustion appliance or a flue.
Smoke and heat alarms must be interlinked to ensure the alarms provide sufficient warning if one fails. Carbon monoxide alarms must also be interlinked.
New tenancies must be compliant from September 1 with existing tenancies to be compliant from December 1. It will be an offence for landlords not to comply with set minimum standards.
Speaking at the meeting, Airport Sinn Fein Councillor Annemarie Logue said:
“This is very significant legislation. Landlords are going to be in quite a serious position if they do not follow regulations.”
Threemilewater DUP Cllr Mark Cooper BEM stated:
“This is a significant piece of legislation and will change the game for the safety of tenants.”
Cllr Cooper highlighted a lack of social media activity by the council prior to the introduction of the new legislation.
“It is something we need to watch very closely for the protection of tenants because there will be plenty of people out there who are not going to be aware of this.”
Party colleague Glengormley Alderman Paula Bradley commented:
“We have a duty to our constituents to make sure they are fully aware of their rights and landlords are following the rules.”
Macedon Alliance Cllr Billy Webb MBE noted:
“This is a very important piece of legislation that is being introduced. The time-scale is quite ridiculous. It was enacted in May.”
Cllr Webb went on to ask about the staffing implications.
Colin Kelly, head of environmental health and well-being, explained the environmental health department has a “key role in housing conditions” with officers inspecting houses for fitness, adding the new requirement will be an “add-on” to their existing role.”
The Department for Communities says:
“The installation of smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarms are intended to reduce the risk of fire and the consequent loss of life, injury, and damage to property.”