Compulsory alarms from this coming October!

The government has just announced that updated regulations concerning carbon monoxide and smoke alarm provision will come into force for all rental properties in England and Wales, from October of this year.

The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) regulations 2022 state that rented properties in England must provide a carbon monoxide alarm in rooms where there is any type of fixed combustion application, such as gas boilers.

Landlords must also ensure a smoke alarm is fitted on every floor of their property where there’s a room used wholly or partly as living accommodation.

We’re advising all our landlords to begin the installation of (and repair to existing) alarms now, in order to avoid being fined for breaching the rules at a later date. The Regulations only require landlords to check alarms are in working order on the first day of a new tenancy.  However, alarms should be tested before a tenancy begins to avoid any impact.

If you are on our fully managed service including property visits or take advantage of our ad-hoc property visits as an additional service, you will note on the resulting report that during visits our representatives test smoke alarms as standard practice. Therefore, this already affords you a certain level of protection.

If you need any help fitting new alarms, please contact the Pace office.  We offer a comprehensive installation service.  Please see prices below:

  • Installation of a battery-operated carbon monoxide alarm – £69

  • Installation of a battery-operated carbon monoxide alarm with a gas safety certificate – £49 (This does not include the gas safety certificate which remains at £109)

  • Installation of a hard-wired carbon monoxide alarm – £149

Also from 1st October, if a tenant (or a tenant’s nominated representative) reports that an alarm may not be in proper working order and it is then found to be faulty, the alarm must be repaired or replaced as soon as is reasonably practicable.   Our recommendation is to fit a hard-wired alarm as a long-term solution.

As always, please contact the Pace office on 01702 445 600 if you have any questions and we will be happy to answer them for you.

Breaking News!

Pace Properties has been recognised for delivering outstanding customer service to its clients, making the shortlist of The ESTAS – the biggest award scheme in the UK residential property industry.

The ESTAS sponsored by Coadjute honours the best, agents, conveyancers and mortgage advisors in the UK. The awards are powered by the ESTAS online customer review platform, which enables property professionals to demonstrate the customer service standards they deliver for their clients.

ESTAS reviews can only be completed at the end of the property transaction and a strict verification process ensures reviews are genuine.

This year’s shortlist has been calculated following the evaluation of 660,000 customer review ratings!

ESTAS22 Shortlisted logo
lettings agent southend on sea - crystal horwood

Crystal joined Pace in 2007 and was appointed to her current role of Managing Director in 2010, heading up the company founded by her father in 1994.

She is responsible for the daily operations of the business, whilst also ensuring the company is financially sound, has strategic direction and is planning for future growth.

Crystal takes a thoughtful and considered approach to all that she does, transferring her determination to deliver implicit care, attention and professionalism to every member of her team.

Pace employ 20 full time staff. Meet the key team members here.