A COUNCIL has been accused of dodging its own rules and risking tenants’ safety by failing to fit carbon monoxide detectors in its housing stock.

During a cabinet meeting last month, Castle Point Council introduced Government legislation stating that private landlords need to fit detectors in properties with a solid fuel burning appliance.

Landlords breaching the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations 2015 can be fined up to £5,000.

A loophole means that council homes are exempt from the regulations.

However, Basildon Council and South Essex Homes, which manages Southend Council’s housing stock, have both installed the detectors anyway.

Rochford Housing Association, which bought Rochford Council’s housing supply in 2007, said it has also has fitted them to all properties.

A Castle Point council spokesman told the Echo it is considering installing the detectors in light of the new legislation.

She said: “The council housing stock does not come under the legislation which has recently been introduced for properties available in the private rental sector.

“However, whilst we don’t currently have carbon monoxide detectors in our properties we are considering a programme of works to implement these within relevant properties.

“In the meantime we have a very proactive programme of regular gas safety checks across all our properties where gas is installed, whereby the annual checks are now undertaken on a rolling ten month basis.”

“We have also committed to an extensive programme of boiler replacements which commenced last year to bring all our boilers to a better standard.”

Dave Blackwell, leader of the Canvey Independent Party, said he is disappointed the authority is “taking a chance with residents’ safety.”

He has urged the council to act quickly to resolve the issue.

He said: “It just amazes me that we are asking our private landlords to do one thing, and yet the council is not setting the example.

“I am aware of the fact local authorities are not obliged under the ruling to fit them, but I think we have to fit them.

“The other thing to consider is that I reckon the vast majority of our council tenants are elderly and perhaps there are some who may not remember to switch off the gas of a night.

“So they are in effect at real risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.”