New fire safety measures will help save the lives of tenants and ensure all rented property is equipped with a smoke alarm, Housing Minister Brandon Lewis said today.

From today, landlords will be required by law to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in their properties, under new Government measures coming into force.

It is estimated this could help prevent more than 25 deaths and nearly 700 injuries a year. Landlords who fail to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms could face up to a £5,000 civil penalty.

That was welcome news to Huddersfield safety campaigners Stacey Rodgers.

She has fought tirelessly to highlight the dangers of carbon monoxide since fumes claimed the life of her 10-year-old son Dominic in Fartown in 2004. Fumes from a neighbour’s boiler seeped into his bedroom as he slept.

Stacey Rodgers holds a photo of her son Dominic Rodgers, who died aged 10 in 2004 from carbon monoxide poisoning
Stacey Rodgers holds a photo of her son Dominic Rodgers, who died aged 10 in 2004 from carbon monoxide poisoning

Ms Rodgers, of Deighton, said: “This is what we have been campaigning for and it’s a great first step.

“A lot of hard work has been done by MPs and the industry but there is still more to do.

“Hopefully more publicity will alert people to the dangers and persuade them to go out and buy an alarm for their own home. I never knew about carbon monoxide until it was too late”

Mr Lewis said: “We’re determined to create a bigger, better and safer private rented sector. That means ensuring the safety of tenants with smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

“Fire kills and people are at least four times more likely to die in a fire in the home if there’s no working smoke alarm.

Stacey's son Dominic
Stacey's son Dominic

“These changes will help save lives by ensuring all landlords install alarms in their properties, giving tenants the vital seconds they need to escape.”

The laws are part of wider Government moves to ensure there are sufficient measures in place to protect tenants, while at the same time avoiding needless red-tape.

The changes to the law will require landlords to install smoke alarms on every floor of their property, and install carbon monoxide alarms in rooms where there are solid fuel burning appliances.

They will need to ensure that the alarms are in working order at the start of each new tenancy. Those who fail to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms could face up to a £5,000 civil penalty.