With the buy-to-let market enjoying a surge in popularity, IronmongeryDirect, the UK’s largest online and mail order supplier of ironmongery products to the trade, is reminding landlords of the fire safety requirements their properties must meet.
The cost of buy-to-let mortgages is at its lowest level ever according to analysts and this, combined with increased rents, is leading to rising numbers of owners choosing to let their homes.
New landlords must be aware that they are responsible for fire safety and need to take a number of steps to ensure their properties comply with regulations. A risk assessment has to be carried out and appropriate action taken to implement fire safety measures where they don’t already exist. The rise in buy-to-let is therefore also meaning an increase in sales of the products required to comply with regulations.
Wayne Lysaght-Mason, managing director of IronmongeryDirect, said: “More and more people are moving into the buy-to-let market due to high rents and low rates. Many will be first-time landlords and may not be aware of the requirements they must meet, including in terms of fire safety.
“For example, kitchens must be fitted with a fire door so that the area can be isolated and the means of escape protected in case of fire. This involves using products which landlords might not initially be familiar with and yet are necessary to enable regulations to be met.
“Fire doors should be fitted with an intumescent strip, an efficient self-closer with intumescent protection, as well as being treated with a fire-retardant finish. In order to fully comply with fire regulations, every fire door assembly should be fitted with intumescent pads and sheets in weak points such as hinges, locks, door closers and vision panels because when exposed to heat they expand and form a seal to prevent the spread of fire. We’ve certainly seen an increase in sales of these products as more new landlords take advantage of the favourable buy-to-let market.”
Fire regulations are among several safety and security considerations which landlords must have prior to letting out their home, with additional guidelines covering doors, locks and keys, energy performance and electrical and gas safety.
Wayne Lysaght-Mason concluded: “It is the responsibility of the property owner to ensure that regulations are being followed and that their tenants are safe within their home. We’d ask all landlords to familiarise themselves with the regulations and carry out a full risk assessment to make sure they are complying with them.”
