Mansfield District Council has begun installing carbon monoxide alarms in properties within its portfolio, ahead of new regulations coming into force later this year.
The new rules include a requirement for authorities to install a carbon monoxide alarm in every council-owned property which has a gas or solid fuel appliance.
There are more than 6,500 properties within the council’s housing portfolio. Some of the works have already been undertaken at sheltered schemes and blocks of flats across the district.
Michael Robinson, strategic director at the authority said: “Safety is an utmost priority for the council, so getting ahead of the game and installing these alarms before the requirement becomes mandatory demonstrates how seriously we are taking the new safety rules. This is an important step to ensuring better quality and safer homes for our residents.
“We are planning the works on an estate-by-estate basis for maximum efficiency. On arrival at your property, our staff will have a covering letter, an ID badge and a uniform so it is clear who we are and the work we are coming to undertake. We will be visiting to either install a new alarm or check the existing ones are working.
“If a resident is not at home, our staff will leave a letter advising them to contact us to arrange an install date.”
The installation of the devices is becoming mandatory from 1 October this year for both the social and private rented sector, following the approval of The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations in November 2021.
For this install, there is no cost to the tenant and if residents have any concerns contact our Housing Repairs team on 01623 463463, select option 1, and the council will confirm the visit or advise otherwise.