Landlords urged to follow new safety rules

Since October, private landlords have to fit smoke alarms on each floor of their rental properties and install carbon monoxide alarms in rooms containing solid fuel burners, such as cookers and heaters.

If they don’t stick to the law they could face a £5,000 fine.

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue area manager Steve Helps said: “The private rented sector provides homes for some of the county’s most vulnerable groups and there is no doubt that these regulations will make privately rented accommodation safer and save lives.

“We want to help South Yorkshire’s private landlords meet their fire safety responsibilities under this new law and would urge them to take the time to understand the legislation and fit detectors where required.

“Tenants can also play a part in taking responsibility for their own safety by reminding their landlords about the new legislation if there are no smoke or carbon monoxide alarms in their home.”