Rental smoke alarm check in Exeter
Professional rental smoke alarm check services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
20-30 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
All smoke and CO alarms tested at your rental property. Legal requirements met, everything documented, batteries replaced if needed.
Meet Your Legal Duty (And Sleep Better)
Since 2015, every landlord must have working smoke alarms on every floor and CO alarms near solid fuel appliances. Not installed and tested at start of tenancy? You're breaking the law.
I test every alarm in your property, replace batteries, check expiry dates, and give you a written report. Twenty minutes, job done properly, legal duty met.
💡 Pro tip: Do this at the same time as meter readings or property checks between tenancies. I'm already there - adding alarm testing costs almost nothing extra.
What Actually Gets Checked
Not just pressing the test button:
| ✅ Proper Check | ❌ Quick Button Press |
|---|---|
| Test button AND separate alarm sound | Just test button |
| Battery condition checked/replaced | Assume battery is fine |
| Mounting secure and correct location | Ignore loose fixings |
| Expiry date noted | Miss expired alarms |
| CO alarms tested near appliances | Forget CO alarms exist |
| Written dated report provided | Nothing documented |
What You Get
🔧 The Full Check
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Locate | Find every smoke/CO alarm in property |
| Test | Press test, verify alarm sounds properly |
| Battery | Replace any low batteries (included in price) |
| Document | Note locations, types, expiry dates, condition |
📋 Your Report Includes
- Every alarm location and type
- Test results (pass/fail)
- Battery status (replaced/OK/needs replacing)
- Expiry dates
- Any missing alarms or compliance issues
- Dated and signed for your records
Pricing
| Service | Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Standard check (most properties) | 20-30 mins | £60 |
| Combined with meter reading | Add 10 mins | £85 total |
| Combined with property check | Add 15 mins | £110 total |
Battery replacements included. New alarm supply/fitting extra if required.
Why This Matters
✅ Legal compliance - documented proof you've met your duty
✅ Insurance validity - many policies require working alarms
✅ Tenant safety - actually the most important bit
✅ Your liability - if there's a fire and alarms didn't work, you're exposed
Why Choose Us for Rental smoke alarm check in Exeter?
Every alarm tested and documented
Legal requirements clearly met
Battery replacements included
Written report for your records
What to Expect
Step 1: Survey
I go through the property systematically - every floor, every room, finding all smoke and CO alarms. Also check for any that SHOULD be there but aren't.
Step 2: Test
Each alarm gets the test button pressed and sound verified. Weak or failing batteries get replaced. Loose mountings get tightened. Any issues noted.
Step 3: Report
Written report completed on site, left for your records. Lists everything checked, any issues found, and confirms legal compliance status.
🔧 DIY Tips
Landlords can do this themselves between tenancies:
🔧 Equipment needed
- Stepladder (alarms are on ceilings)
- Replacement batteries (9V or AA depending on alarm type)
- Notebook for recording details
- Phone to photograph each alarm
📝 Checking properly
- Find every alarm - ceilings of each floor for smoke, near boilers/fires for CO
- Press and hold test button until alarm sounds (5-10 seconds usually)
- Verify the alarm is LOUD - weak sound means dying battery
- Check manufacture date on back - over 10 years old needs replacing
- Ensure it's mounted firmly (not dangling or loose)
🔋 Battery replacement
- Take alarm off ceiling (usually twist anti-clockwise)
- Fit new battery (correct polarity, don't force it)
- Press test to verify before remounting
- Date the alarm so you know when battery was changed
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Missing the CO alarm near boiler/fire
- Not checking if alarms are actually within date
- Assuming battery is fine because alarm isn't beeping
- No written record (you need proof for legal/insurance)
💡 Pro trick: Take a photo of each alarm showing its location and the test button lit up. Timestamp on phone proves when it was tested. Keep photos with tenancy records.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🎯 New tenancy starting? Legal requirement is testing "at the start of each tenancy". Do it the day before or morning of move-in, not a week early - batteries can die in that time.
HMO properties? Houses in Multiple Occupation have stricter rules - usually need Grade D alarms (mains powered with battery backup) and more extensive coverage. Different service - call to discuss requirements.
Older alarms? Many Exeter rental properties still have 15-year-old alarms that technically work but are past their 10-year expiry. I'll flag these in the report - you don't HAVE to replace them immediately, but they're less reliable and you should plan for it.
Failed tests? If an alarm won't work even with new battery, it needs replacing. For battery alarms I can supply and fit there and then. For mains-powered ones, you'll need an electrician - I can recommend reliable local sparks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are landlords legally required to have?
Smoke alarm on every floor, CO alarm in any room with a solid fuel appliance (wood burner, coal fire). They must be tested at the start of every tenancy. I test everything, replace batteries if needed, and give you written proof it's been done.
Can't the tenant just press the test button themselves?
They could, but you need documented proof for your records and insurance. I test every alarm, check it's actually mounted properly, verify batteries are good, note expiry dates, and give you a dated report. If there's ever an incident, you've got evidence you met your legal duty.
What if an alarm is missing or faulty?
I'll flag it in the report. For mains-powered alarms, you'll need an electrician. For battery ones, I can supply and fit replacements there and then (usually £20-30 per alarm depending on type). Your property won't be compliant until it's sorted.
How often should rental alarms be checked?
Legally: at the start of each tenancy. Sensibly: annually if you've got long-term tenants, because batteries die and tenants don't always report it. Takes 20 minutes and could save lives (and massive liability if something happens).
Do smoke alarms expire?
Yes - usually 10 years from manufacture. There's a date printed on the back. I check this during testing and warn you if any are approaching expiry. An expired alarm might look fine but won't work properly in a fire.
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