PRIVATE landlords across Cornwall are being urged to act now to ensure they are ready for new safety laws aimed at saving dozens of lives a year.

The regulations make it compulsory for all landlords to fit smoke alarms in rented homes and come into effect on October 1. Under the new laws smoke alarms must be fitted on every floor of the property as well as carbon monoxide alarms in properties which burn solid fuels. Landlords must check the alarms are working at the start of every new tenancy with potential penalties of up to £5,000 if they don’t comply.

To help landlords gear up for the new regulations the Government has provided Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service with a limited number of free smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to give out to landlords that register their interest.

To apply landlords need to visit www.cornwall.gov.uk/fire and follow links for business fire safety to complete the online registration form. Alternatively, if you don’t have access to the online registration form, you can call the freephone fire safety helpline on 0800 3581 999 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Detectors will be available for collection from St Austell Community Fire Station from Monday, July 6. News of additional distribution centres in the west and east Cornwall will follow shortly on www.cornwall.gov.uk/fire.

CFRS group manager Steve Halstead said: “We are pleased to support this initiative. Landlords need to be clear that from October they have a legal responsibility to ensure that their properties are fitted with appropriate fire and carbon monoxide detectors. Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms save lives so we are encouraging landlords to come forward to take up this offer and also to register with the Cornwall Responsible Landlord Scheme, where they can access guidance and support to ensure their tenants and property are safe.”

Cornwall Council cabinet member for communities Geoff Brown added: “I fully support this great initiative and would urge landlords to take advantage of the offer. Recent fires in Cornwall have demonstrated the effectiveness and importance of all properties being fitted with such warning devices as early warning has ensured that occupants can safely vacate the premises. An early call to the fire service also minimises the potential damage to buildings."