17th November marks the start of Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week

This is not something we take lightly, so here is our information guide on how tenants can remain safe, and landlords can stay compliant.

If you have a fuel-burning appliance at your property, such as a gas hob or fireplace, it is a legal requirement to have a carbon monoxide alarm installed. Your carbon monoxide alarm should be placed 3–5 feet away from the boiler and/or the relevant appliance. These alarms should be tested by tenants at least once a month.

Landlords are required to have the appliances checked once a year by a Gas Safe registered contractor. The contractor will provide certification to confirm that the inspection is complete, and the property is compliant.

Typically, most CO alarms are battery powered; however, it is recommended that a hardwired alarm is installed for optimum safety.

If your CO alarm goes off, please follow these steps:

• Immediately evacuate all occupants, including pets.
• If safe to do so, ventilate the property as you exit.
• Once outside, call the emergency gas service (Cadent) on 0800 111 999.
• If you are experiencing symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, or a headache, seek medical assistance immediately.
• Do not re-enter the property until it is confirmed safe to do so.
• Contact your landlord or property management team to ensure that any remedial work required to rectify the issue is promptly carried out

Ensuring your tenants’ safety is a huge responsibility. Having your property managed by Hemmingfords takes that pressure away. We ensure that we remain up to date with current legislation so that your property stays compliant and your tenants stay safe.

If you have any questions regarding compliance or the services offered by Hemmingfords, please contact our property management team at holly@hemmingfords.co.uk.