Pensioner could face eviction after refusing to have smoke alarm fitted
A PENSIONER could face eviction from his home because he is refusing to have a smoke alarm fitted.
Peter Wadsworth, 67, lives in a council house in Normanton which is managed by Derby Homes.
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Derby Homes resident Peter Wadsworth has received a letter threatening court action after he refused to have smoke alarms installed in his home.
The housing group sent contractors to inspect his smoke alarm but Mr Wadsworth told them he did not have one fitted and did not want one.
Staff sent letters telling him that they needed access to fit one but were unable to get into his property.
Now the organisation has sent a notice which could lead to Mr Wadsworth's eviction if he does not let in contractors to fit the appliance.
Maureen Davis, housing operations manager at Derby Homes, said Derby Homes had been trying to gain access to the property to service smoke alarms since 2009.
"This notice is actually so we can get access to the property," she said.
"It could mean ultimately that the tenant is evicted if he doesn't comply because it is in the terms of the tenancy agreement that we install and maintain alarms and we must get access for that.
"We believe very strongly in fitting and maintaining smoke alarms.
"There have been some tragic cases both locally and nationally where smoke alarms were not fitted.
"We take this very seriously, which is why it is in our tenancy agreements."
But Mr Wadsworth, who lives in a semi-detached house, said he did not want an alarm.
"I'm angry at the heavy-handed approach Derby Homes have taken with this possession notice and using it as a first resort," he said.
"I don't think smoke alarms are necessary unless you put yourself at risk and I am very careful and don't do that.
"People have said to me about faulty electrical appliances and things but our equipment is new and in good condition."
The smoke alarms are fitted for free and wired into the mains of the house so that replacement batteries are not needed.
Mr Wadsworth said he was due to have a meeting with Derby Homes to discuss the issue.
He said: "I may have no choice but to give in and have one fitted and they have now explained the notice is more about getting access to my property.
"I just don't like the heavy-handed approach they have taken on this.
"As far as I am aware, the alarms are not a legal requirement."
17 Comments
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by B_o_b1
Monday, August 22 2011, 10:13AM
“No, 'Southcliffe', I have a mortgage. What relevance is that though?”
by Antiflow
Friday, August 19 2011, 4:47PM
“Yeah, just put your neighbours life at risk just in case you happen to have your house burn down.”
by THIS_IS_IT
Friday, August 19 2011, 4:36PM
“I imagine this gentleman would refuse a crash helmet if he were riding a motorbike. Would decline body armour if he was serving on the front line. Would walk into a smoke filled building without breathing apparatus if he were a fireman. There is a theme developing here as you can tell!
The Gentleman may wish to obtain a free copy of: Fire Statistics, United Kingdom 2008
Published 26 November 2010
Type(s) Statistics
Site Corporate
ISBN 9781409826606
Price Free
Research shows that smoke alarm ownership increased rapidly from 8 per cent
in 1988 to 70 per cent in 1994, and has continued to rise in recent years to
around 90 per cent in 2008 (para 2.26). THIS IS DUE TO PEOPLE USING THEIR COMMON SENSE, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE CLEVER PEOPLE.
• Smoke alarms were absent from the fire area in 18,600 dwelling fires (38%) THIS IS DUE TO PEOPLE BEING IGNORANT OF THE FACTS, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE STUPID PEOPLE.
By all means put yourself at risk of being burned to death in a house fire but please make sure you do it in your own property in the middle of a field where you cannot endanger your next door neighbours. You may wish to look up the word selfish to go along with the other word stubborn which others have referred to you as stubborn and selfish is simply a disaster waiting to happen.”
by godfreyeland
Friday, August 19 2011, 3:55PM
“There's no fool like an old fool”
by Alltrades
Friday, August 19 2011, 3:42PM
“Dear Mr Stubborn, I carry out insurance repairs and you would not believe how many perfectly good appliances can just burst into flames. two claims of note last year, dvd player burst into flames whilst policy holders were on holiday, fire and smoke damaged house. The second was a new printer which had burst into flames while they were out some major fire and smoke damage occurred. Fortunatley on both occasions the policy holders had kept the doors closed and this contained the fire, but it was only thanks to the smoke alarms going off and that it alerted a neighbour that the property was not damaged further. So stop trying to clever Mr Stubborn and get with it!!”
by mad_mo
Friday, August 19 2011, 3:37PM
“Mr Wadsworth is clearly very naive to believe that every fire can be avoided. How would he feel if there was a fire in his property which spread to the neighbours property and destroyed everything they owned. Especially if there was a fatality.
As a Derby Homes tenant I feel that Mr Wadsworth should remember that although this is his home it is not his property and therefore Derby Homes have a right to insist.
If the smoke detector has not been checked since 2009 as a tenant I know we get letters and cards if we're not home reminding us that it is part of our tenancy conditions therefore this will certainly not be the first letter he will have received.”
by Southcliffe
Friday, August 19 2011, 3:34PM
“Are you a private tenant B_o_b1 then?”
by richntrace
Friday, August 19 2011, 3:30PM
“i think the council are right to insist that tenants have smoke alarms fitted not just for his saftey but what about his neighbours it looks like a semi too me! after all you dont own the house dont like the rules simply move out pay a rent or a mortgage then you have some rights....”
by B_o_b1
Friday, August 19 2011, 3:20PM
“If tenants don't like the terms of the tenancy, they could always move to a private rental property. They don't have to sign any agreement they are unhappy with.”
by Southcliffe
Friday, August 19 2011, 1:04PM
“Unfortunately 'tehjki' the actions of Mr Wadsworth can only keep the cost high for everyone.”