LANDLORDS MUST ISSUE SMOKE SIGNAL TO TENANTS SAYS PENNYCUICK COLLINS
Residents in apartment buildings across the region may be surprised to find no-smoking signs in communal areas from 1st July. While residents will still be able to smoke inside their individual flats, property management specialists at Pennycuick Collins are advising landlords to ensure they are prepared for the smoking ban, which will apply to communal areas, such as corridors, the porters’ office and lobby areas.
Peter Dening, partner at Birmingham-based Pennycuick Collins, comments:
“Much of the focus of these new laws has been on how it will impact on the pub and leisure market, but, as the legislation applies to all workplaces, one of the less obvious places in which it will be enforced is blocks of flats and apartment buildings. With porters, cleaners and maintenance staff regularly working in-side communal areas of residential buildings, these areas must be smoke-free to comply with the smoking ban.
“As managing agents for a number of residential developments across the city, we have taken steps to ensure signs are clearly displayed in all communal areas and that residents have been informed of how they can comply with the legislation.”
If people continue to smoke in the communal areas it is the responsibility of the landlord - or the managing agent acting on their behalf - to take steps to stop this behaviour. This could include writing to residents to remind them of the new regulations and ensuring that no-smoking signs are still clearly displayed.
Peter Dening concludes:
“Although residents or visitors could face a fine of up to £200 for smoking in communal areas, it is the landlord that faces the real penalty. Failure to prevent smoking in a smoke-free environment could results in a fine of up to £2,500.”
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We are members of The Tenancy Deposit Scheme for Regulated Agents
Pennycuick Collins have been members of the voluntary scheme for Tenancy Deposit Disputes for a number of years. As members of ARLA and the RICS Pennycuick Collins hold deposits in a secure client account and carry the necessary professional indemnity insurance.
With effect from 6th April 2007 only regulated agents will be able to hold tenant’s deposits.
Pennycuick Collins, as member’s of The Tenancy Deposit Scheme for Regulated Agents run by The Dispute Service are entitled to hold deposits and any dispute in connection with the return of a deposit maybe referred to the scheme for independent review. Pennycuick Collins undertakes to abide by the decision of the Independent Case Examiner.
As a Prospective Tenant you should only rent property through a Regulated Agent. Unregulated Agents and Private Landlords are no longer able to hold deposits and must take part in the custodial scheme which in effect means that your deposit is held by a government approved body. Inevitably this may lead to delays in the return of your deposit
As a Prospective Landlord Pennycuick Collins can hold the deposit on your behalf and administer it at the end of the tenancy leading to a speedy resolution. Pennycuick Collins propose to make no additional charge to our Landlords for the benefit of membership of the scheme.
If you would like to make any enquiries with regards to this please telephone one of our Senior Property Managers on 0121 665 4160. Alternatively visit www.TDS.gb.com