My daughter rents a modernised Victorian house. "Improvements" include a redesigned ground floor fireplace, brand new wood burning fire & fitted carpet running directly below the fireplace opening and which is now singed.
I told her the fire installation doesn't comply with current UK Building Regs in that there should be no combustible surface within 300 mm of the front (150 mm sides) of the fire opening, and that there should be a raised hearth. She reported it to the letting agent who promptly told her Building Regs are not retrospective! Whilst I understand this could be the case for the "original" Victorian design (open fire/tiled floor) I would have thought that the moment a modification is made (namely; removing the original fireplace, modifying the opening & flue, installing a new wood burning fire, and fitting of a carpet) it would have to be in accordance with CURRENT building regulations. Can anybody advise and (assuming I'm correct) let me know which governing body it should be reported to if the letting agent or landlord is unwilling to rectify.
I told her the fire installation doesn't comply with current UK Building Regs in that there should be no combustible surface within 300 mm of the front (150 mm sides) of the fire opening, and that there should be a raised hearth. She reported it to the letting agent who promptly told her Building Regs are not retrospective! Whilst I understand this could be the case for the "original" Victorian design (open fire/tiled floor) I would have thought that the moment a modification is made (namely; removing the original fireplace, modifying the opening & flue, installing a new wood burning fire, and fitting of a carpet) it would have to be in accordance with CURRENT building regulations. Can anybody advise and (assuming I'm correct) let me know which governing body it should be reported to if the letting agent or landlord is unwilling to rectify.