I will clarify when it is smoke alarms and when it is carbon monoxide alarms; as I understand it, effectively, there has to be a gas boiler present, which would rule out many bedrooms. However, I will write to the noble Baroness on that point.
The noble Baroness, Lady Hayman, following the lead of the noble Baroness, Lady Pinnock, wanted to know what “reasonably practicable” looks like. My answer is that, essentially, we will recommend that landlords carry out repairs as soon as they are able to. This will depend on such factors as access to the property, which will be set out in guidance.
In response to the noble Baroness, Lady Finlay, on her question about mandation of carbon monoxide alarms in rooms with gas cookers, data shows that gas cookers are responsible for fewer incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning than gas boilers. This may be
because domestic gas cookers do not tend to be used continuously for long periods, unlike boilers. For this reason, the Government believe it would not be proportionate to require alarms in rooms with gas cookers as well as rooms with gas boilers.
On the point about public information, we are developing communication to target tenants to make sure that they understand the regulations and the importance of protection from carbon monoxide poisoning. There is some movement on the call for a public information campaign.
The noble Baroness, Lady Pinnock, wanted to know how we reached the implementation period for these new requirements. This relates to the fact that the majority of respondents to the consultation agreed that we should not delay the introduction of new requirements once the regulations are made. A significant delay between the regulations being made and taking effect would put lives at risk. It is a question of getting the right balance between the two. That is why we alighted on 1 October 2022 as the most achievable date.
Both the noble Baronesses, Lady Finlay and Lady Pinnock, wanted to know why we were not specifying the type of alarm. The draft regulations do not stipulate the type of alarm—such as hardwired or battery powered—to be installed. In the case of smoke alarms, we advise landlords to choose ones that are compliant with British Standards, and I am sure that there must be British Standards that have to be complied with for carbon monoxide alarms. We encourage landlords to make an informed decision and choose the best alarms for their properties and tenants, with due regard for their residents’ circumstances.
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The noble Baroness, Lady Finlay, wanted to know why we are not mandating for owner occupiers as we are now covering the private rented sector. The intention of extending the regulations is to protect residents in rented homes. Changes to building regulations will extend alarm requirements upon the installation of new and replacement combustion appliances of all fuel types, and this will apply to all tenures, including owner occupiers. It is in the best interests of any owner occupier to keep themselves safe from fire and carbon monoxide poisoning, and we would strongly advise them to install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. It is important for people to recognise that point.
The noble Baroness, Lady Hayman, raised the issue of how we set the penalty level. That was not a matter for this regulation. The penalty level for non-compliance was set as part of the private rented sector regulations that were passed in 2015, and we consider this limit proportionate and appropriate to match the PRS requirements for parity of standards. So it goes back to the 2015 regulations, if you like.
The noble Baroness, Lady Pinnock, raised the issue of how landlords can gain access to their properties. The regulations are clear that landlords must take all reasonable steps to access properties, including attempting access on multiple occasions. It is not proportionate to mandate that landlords take legal action for access, as alarms have a long life span of six or seven to 10 years.