Fears are growing for “Newham’s most at risk residents” after the London Fire Brigade said “rogue” landlords are putting their lives at risk by ignoring new legislation.

The Brigade is offering free smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to private tenants after they said landlords in high risk fire areas are not only ignoring the new legislation but also the Brigade’s free alarm offer.

Many of Newham’s most at risk residents, such as the elderly and those with mobility and mental health issues – especially those who are smokers – live in privately rented accommodation.

However, only 338 of “at risk” properties who qualify for free alarms in Newham have been allocated them since the offer was introduced last July.

London Fire Brigade’s Borough Commander for Newham Rhys Powell is now calling on tenants living in private accommodation to apply for free alarms.

He said: “Despite offering private landlords in Newham’s most at risk areas free smoke alarms, very few have come forward to take us up on the offer.

“If you have already reminded your landlord about the new legislation and they still haven’t provided you with alarms, we would urge tenants to apply to the Brigade to see if they are eligible for them.”

The new legislation, brought in last October, requires private landlords to fit smoke alarms on each floor of their rental properties and carbon monoxide alarms in rooms containing solid fuel burners.

Landlords face a £5,000 fine if they don’t comply.

The Brigade estimates that while overall smoke alarm ownership in the UK stands at around 90 per cent, those living in private rented homes are far less likely to have a working smoke alarm.

To find out if you are eligible for free smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, visit click here