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New guidance on fire safety and retaliatory evictions announced (2 October 2015)

Date: 02/10/2015
Duncan Lewis, Housing Solicitors, New guidance on fire safety and retaliatory evictions announced

Housing Minister Brandon Lewis has said that new fire safety measures will help save the lives of tenants – and ensure all rented property is equipped with a smoke alarm.

From Thursday (01/10/15), landlords are required by law to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in their properties – which could help prevent more than 25 deaths and nearly 700 injuries a year.

Landlords who fail to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms could face up to a £5,000 civil penalty.

Housing Minister Brandon Lewis said:

“We’re determined to create a bigger, better and safer private rented sector.

“That means ensuring the safety of tenants with smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

“Fire kills – and people are at least four times more likely to die in a fire in the home if there’s no working smoke alarm.

“These changes will help save lives by ensuring all landlords install alarms in their properties, giving tenants the vital seconds they need to escape – creating a bigger, better private rented sector.”

Guidance published on Thursday will also help protect tenants against unfair eviction – and ensure they are more aware of their rights and responsibilities.

New laws under the Deregulation Act will end retaliatory evictions – sometimes called malicious evictions – where tenants make a legitimate complaint to their landlord about the property, but instead of making the repair, the landlord serves an eviction notice on them.

Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors

Duncan Lewis housing solicitors can advise both landlords and tenants in the public and private sectors on a wide range of housing matters under the Housing Act 2004, including:

• Anti-social behaviour
• Disrepair of rented property
• Health and Safety issues
• Housing Benefit
• Housing possession
• Notice to Quit
• Nuisance neighbours
• Tenancy agreements
• Unlawful eviction.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and Duncan Lewis is a leading provider of Legal Aid services.

For expert legal advice on housing matters, call Duncan Lewis housing solicitors on 020 7923 4020.


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