Emma Reynolds, Labour MP for Wolverhampton North East and Shadow Housing Minister, has backed plans to protect tenants in the private rented sector from the risk of a house fire.Emma supported a Private Members Bill in Parliament on Wednesday afternoon to ensure that landlords have smoke alarms installed in properties they let out. The Private Members Bill was supported by 245 votes to 8 in its first reading, but will need to be voted on again before it can become law.

Official statistics reveal that the privately rented sector has the lowest percentage of smoke alarms of any housing tenure. Only 82% of privately rented homes have a smoke alarm fitted, lagging well behind all other tenures. By contrast, 93% of housing association properties have a smoke alarm fitted.

Nine million people are living in rented homes today, including over a million families, with over two million children. Backing the mandatory installation of smoke alarms in the private rented sector is the latest part of Labour’s plans to build a safer and more secure private rented sector that works for tenants.

Emma said:  “We know that smoke alarms save lives and that privately rented properties are the least likely to have smoke alarms, but the Tory-led Government refuses to act to ensure that landlords install them. The evidence shows that house fires in which a smoke detector raises the alarm are discovered more rapidly and lead to fewer casualties.

“I am astonished that some Conservative MPs have spoken out and voted against this proposal. There are a growing number of people and families in the private rented sector and they deserve better. That’s why I’m backing plans to ensure that people have safer homes that offer greater stability and security.”

May 2014