How are Standards in the Private Rented Sector being Improved?
The UK Association of Letting Agents (UKALA) has partnered with Aico, a manufacturer of choice for life safety products. How is the collaboration helping to improve standards in the private rented sector?
UKALA is a professional association that supports letting management agent members be successful, stay compliant and provide a high-quality service. The organisation represents members’ interests across the UK, works constructively with various government departments and sits on many committees and policy input bodies.
Improving The Safety Of Residents Is The Focus
Ever-evolving legislative changes require all rented accommodations in England to have a carbon monoxide alarm fitted to a fuel-burning appliance. In rented domestic premises, a category LD2 fire detection system must be installed within the residence.
A Category LD2 system, as defined by BS5839-6 2019, means that mains-powered alarms with a sealed tamper-proof battery backup should be installed in the living areas and escape routes, with a heat alarm in the kitchen, and all alarms should be interlinked.
Tony Boyle, National Sales Manager at Aico, explained that the partnership is helping to implement the latest requirements for improving safety: “We are delighted to be working with an organisation like UKALA, which strives to improve standards in the private rental sector through professional development and provision of information and help.
“In a climate of constant regulatory change, it is clear UKALA does a fantastic job of keeping its members up to date with the latest requirements for compliance and improving the safety of residents.”
With over 4 million privately rented homes in England alone, it’s encouraging to see organisations like UKALA improving standards within the sector.
UKALA Members Will Have Access To Aico’s Products
Aico products are supplied to the UK’s professional electrical distribution network. It has been explained by UKALA that its members are going to benefit massively from the partnership, as they can procure Aico products through these channels through an agreement set up separately by the organisation.
Anthony Lock, Director of UKALA, explained that these products conform to the latest legislation: “We aim to give letting agents a package of benefits from client money protection insurance, help and information through to commercial benefits.
“UKALA members can enjoy access to all of Aico’s carbon monoxide, smoke and heat detector products that conform to the latest legislative changes through the appropriate professional electrical distribution channels. The partnership with Aico is an important safety-related addition to the benefits we offer UKALA members, and we are delighted to be working with them”.
