Landlords are being warned by the Fire Protection Association of major changes ahead for those letting properties in Wales.

The Fitness for Human Habitation (Wales) Act comes into effect on 15 July and will affect all landlords, whether social or private. The act identifies 29 hazards within the property where landlords need to meet minimum requirements.

The FFHH act requires a smoke alarm, in proper working order, to be present on every storey of a dwelling. Landlords must ensure that each of these alarms is in proper working order and interlinked with all other smoke alarms connected to the electricity supply.

Landlords may consider it appropriate to install more than one smoke alarm on each floor, along with a heat alarm in the kitchen. 

The Fire Protection Association says any additional battery-powered alarms do not need to be interconnected, although the Act recommends interconnecting all alarms within the dwelling. 

A carbon monoxide alarm should be installed in all rooms containing a fuel-burning appliance (including cookers). North Wales Fire and Rescue Service are offering free smoke alarms to assist in compliance with the updated legislation, and the rest of Wales’ fire services are on hand to assist with visits to properties.