- 09/02/2016
- Posted by: Mike Hedges MS
- Category: Uncategorized
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| Electrical and Carbon Monoxide Safety |
| 14:59 – Mike Hedges |
| 11. Will the Minister make a statement on electrical and carbon monoxide safety in privately rented properties? OAQ(4)0413(CTP) |
| 14:59 – Lesley Griffiths |
| Thank you. The safety of tenants is of paramount importance. Electrical and carbon monoxide safety are assessed under the housing health and safety rating system. |
| 14:59 – Mike Hedges |
| Minister—oh, sorry. |
| 14:59 – Lesley Griffiths |
| Local authorities have a duty to take action where concerns are raised. The fitness for human habitation obligation on landlords under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 will strengthen the protection for residents. |
| 14:59 – Mike Hedges |
| Thank you, Minister. Sorry for almost interrupting you there. As you remember, when the housing Act was making its way through this place at Stage 1 and Stage 2, there was a tremendous amount of concern across parties about electrical and carbon monoxide safety within properties. We raised it at Stage 2, and a number of Members raised it also at Stage 3. At that stage, you said that regulations would be coming in in order to deal with electrical and carbon monoxide safety. Can you give us an update on those regulations? |
| 15:00 – Lesley Griffiths |
| I assume you’re referring to the renting homes Act, not the housing Act, because I didn’t take the housing Act through, but I did take the renting homes Act through. I know that it was something that was very important to Members as we took the renting homes Bill through. Obviously, I can’t bind the next Government, but I would expect that the first set of regulations will require the installation of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and electrical safety checks. Again, I would anticipate that regulations will come in later this year—probably about the autumn. |
| I thought Members would also be interested to hear that the UK Government recently rejected an amendment to its housing and planning Bill that would have required private landlords in England to ensure that their properties are fit for human habitation. So, I’m very pleased that our Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 includes this requirement, putting Wales ahead of England once again in terms of protection for people who rent their homes. |
