THREAD There is a lot of misinformation and confusion around the new regulations on fire and CO alarms that come into force 1 Feb 2022 and in relation to which there was a statement in Parliament today. 1/8
The regulations are here legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2019/8/art… and were subsequently amended to come into force in 2022 and not 2021. 2/8
The regulations add the interlinked fire and CO alarms to the list of criteria in s86(1) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 that define whether a house meets the statutory tolerable standard. 3/8 legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1987/26/…
Scotgov webpage states that "Every home in Scotland must have interlinked fire alarms by February 2022." gov.scot/publications/f… That statement is misleading so far as the word "must" is concerned. 4/8
There is no legal requirement to fit such alarms. It is not an offence to not have them fitted. What it does mean is that your house will not be of a tolerable standard. 5/8
Councils have powers to ensure that homes are upgraded to ensure that they are of a tolerable standard but must use those powers in a proprtionate manner. 6/8
Insurance companies might or might not insist on interlinked fire and CO alarms being fitted before offering insurance but they can do that whether these regulations exist or not. 7/8
In short, it is a good idea to have these fitted, to bring your home up to the new tolerable standards, to provide greater safety and to avoid any issues arising in future over insurance or potential sale of a below tolerable standard dwelling. 8/8
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
