I am purchasing 3 flats and the freehold of a three storey building. Each flat is self contained. There is no integrated fire alarm system. Legally what do I have to put in place before letting the flats. They are currently let out.
Purchasing new buy to lets... Fire risk assessment
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Smoke alarms as part of fire risk assessment
Hi
Usually, in most HMOs, you will be required to install mains powered, cable-linked smoke and heat alarms to BS5839-6 part D. However, this creates large installation costs. A cost saving can be achieved by installing radio-interlinked, mains powered smoke alarms. These can be powered from the nearest light fitting and do not need cable running between units. An even more cost-efficient option is to use battery operated radio-interlinked smoke alarms. However, you need to agree these with fire brigade, building inspector or similar. You would also need to make sure that the batteries would be replaced regularly before they start bleeping!
Harry
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I am in a similar position of having to install an integrated fire alarm system and fire doors. Does any one know where the fire alarm panel has to be located? There is a small cupboard on the middle floor (3 floor property) that already has cabling going to it - If I can have the panel in there it would be great - if it has to be downstairs near the front door then it would be a pain.
Any tips on purchasing alarm systems and fire doors would be appreciated. I did see a system on ebay (110622583950) for £239 which sound very reasonable but not sure if it is of the right standard.
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Assuming the property is in England or Wales.
There should already be a Fire Risk Assessment for the property. Freeholder's and Landlords have had since 2005 to get these in place (under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005). It is an offence not to have carried one out, and acted upon it's recomendations. So calling around the local Fire Officer may set in motion a sequence of events that leads to proscecution. This is, of course, been put in very simple terms / overview.
As the seller's agetn to provide you a copy of the assessment. If one is not available then it's renegociation time.
I would check the HMO status of the property as a building of individual flats do make a registered HMO (which will have more stringent minimum standards) - although it is possible for a flat to be a registered HMO should it meet the criteria (which depends on your local authority).There is always scope for misinterpretation.
If my posts can be interpreted in two ways, one that makes you feel angry and one that doesn't, I meant the latter.
Everyday is an opportunity to learn something new.
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Reply to Cp12 gas certCheap is not always best: £35 may merely get system condemned.
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Channel: Safety: HHSRS, Fire Risk, Gas & Elec
03-12-2019, 18:32 PM -
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Anyone know a reasonable priced engineer in London usually get it done for £35
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Channel: Safety: HHSRS, Fire Risk, Gas & Elec
27-11-2019, 03:05 AM -
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Reply to Cp12 gas certby Navrocan you share who you are using that charges £35 please?
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Channel: Safety: HHSRS, Fire Risk, Gas & Elec
03-12-2019, 18:16 PM -
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Reply to Cp12 gas certby tatemonothen you are already paying for a very cheap cert. £50 seems about the going rate.
Hasn't been called a CP12 for very many years...-
Channel: Safety: HHSRS, Fire Risk, Gas & Elec
03-12-2019, 08:36 AM -
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by LLeganHi,
I'm due to rent out my flat for the first time this Saturday. As such I had a gas safety certificate completed on the Monday just gone. I have a gas fireplace as well which the engineer suggested I cut the gas off to instead of getting it done as well as it would be a further cost to...-
Channel: Safety: HHSRS, Fire Risk, Gas & Elec
29-11-2019, 12:10 PM -
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Reply to Gas Safety Certificate adviceAre you really going to cap a gas fire to save money!!!!
The housing association I worked for still had to check each year to ensure it was still capped....-
Channel: Safety: HHSRS, Fire Risk, Gas & Elec
02-12-2019, 22:02 PM -
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Reply to Gas Safety Certificate adviceby MdeBI believe that even if the pipe is capped or somehow gas is turned off to it, it still needs to be checked for purposes of issuing a GSC, as it is part of the installation pipework. (see regulation 36)
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Channel: Safety: HHSRS, Fire Risk, Gas & Elec
29-11-2019, 13:30 PM -
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Reply to Gas Safety Certificate adviceby jpkeatesThat does make more sense.
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Channel: Safety: HHSRS, Fire Risk, Gas & Elec
29-11-2019, 12:23 PM -
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Reply to Gas Safety Certificate adviceby LLeganThanks for the reply.
The reason he suggested cutting the supply to the fireplace was because there's a vent that would vent the fumes out however if the vent is covered up, it could be dangerous.
Thanks,
C-
Channel: Safety: HHSRS, Fire Risk, Gas & Elec
29-11-2019, 12:20 PM -
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Reply to Gas Safety Certificate adviceby jpkeatesI'd reinstate the fire and pay the small additional fee to have it tested every year.
Otherwise, your tenants are stuck with a fire that doesn't work, and it would seem to me to be a desirable feature (if there's still a fire there, you or the agent are going to have to explain to everyone viewing...-
Channel: Safety: HHSRS, Fire Risk, Gas & Elec
29-11-2019, 12:17 PM -
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