Security - Housing companies almost there with smoke detector installation
Smoke alarms in living rooms, bedrooms and children's rooms: The rental apartments of the large housing companies in Saxony were almost completely equipped with these devices by the end of the year. "Most of the landlords organized with us have complied with this obligation," says Alexander Müller, spokesman for vwd Sachsen - Verband der Wohnungs- und Immobilienwirtschaft. According to Vivian Jakob, spokesperson for the Association of Saxon Housing Cooperatives, around 95 percent of the approximately 295,000 cooperative apartments in the state are now equipped with smoke alarms. The rest are "in progress" or "in catch-up" where tenants were absent.
In future, living and recreation rooms in Saxony will have to be fitted with smoke alarms. Previously, the obligation for smoke alarms only applied to new builds and conversions. From the turn of the year, apartments in old buildings and older single-family homes will also be affected.
According to company spokeswoman Samira Sachse, more than 120,000 smoke alarms had to be installed in around 37,000 apartments owned by Leipziger Wohnungs- und Baugesellschaft mbH (LWB). By mid-December 2023, the LWB had almost completed "the mammoth task", as she put it. Installation began in April. There are now 1,500 apartments left, for which a third individual installation date will be arranged. For reasons such as illness or misunderstandings, the first two installation dates have been canceled in these cases. "Unfortunately, there were also cases in which the fitters were not granted access to the apartment," said Sachse.
Housing company Vonovia, which has around 45,000 apartments in Dresden and around 10,000 in Leipzig, has also "almost completed" the smoke alarm campaign, according to company spokesman for Saxony, Matthias Wulff. "Sometimes we can't get into apartments because it's difficult to make appointments, for example. They are then still open."
The majority of the almost 25,000 apartments owned by Grundstücks- und Gebäudewirtschaftsgesellschaft Chemnitz (GGG) have been fitted with smoke alarms, according to the company. "We are planning to complete this by the end of 2023," said company spokesperson Erik Escher.
The fact that the state parliament brought forward the deadline for smoke alarms by one year to the end of 2023 when it amended the building regulations in June initially caused irritation. Shortening the deadline for retrofitting by a whole year "was very ambitious" and required effort, says Jakob from the Association of Housing Cooperatives. "Many cooperatives had planned for the end of 2024." However, they managed to secure the necessary equipment and tradespeople. "With a few exceptions, everything will be ready on time by the end of the year."
According to vwd estimates, around five million warning alarms had to be procured and installed throughout Saxony. Nobody disputes the benefits of smoke alarms, said association spokesman Alexander Müller. "The short deadline, the costs and the associated effort were problematic."
vwd Sachsen Verband Sächsischer Wohnungsgenossenschaften Leipziger Wohnungs- und Baugesellschaft Vonovia Grundstücks- und Gebäudewirtschaftsgesellschaft Chemnitz
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- Alexander Müller, the spokesperson for vwd Sachsen - Verband der Wohnungs- und Immobilienwirtschaft, mentioned that most housing companies in Saxony, including those in Dresden and Leipzig, such as Vonovia and Leipziger Wohnungs- und Baugesellschaft mbH (LWB), have almost completed the installation of smoke detectors in their rented apartments, ensuring safety in living rooms, bedrooms, and children's rooms.
- Alexander Müller also highlighted that for a few apartments, the smoke detector installation process has been delayed due to various reasons, like tenant absences or difficulties in scheduling appointments, impeding the housing companies' ability to meet the end-of-year completion target.
- Eva Schmidt, a tenant living in an apartment rented by Grundstücks- und Gebäudewirtschaftsgesellschaft Chemnitz (GGG), recently mentioned her satisfaction with the installation of smoke detectors in her rented apartment, ensuring safety for herself and her children, as well as her peace of mind.
- Alexander Müller, a resident of Leipzig, is grateful for the smoke detector installation campaign in housing companies as it enhances the safety of his rented apartment and guarantees the well-being of his children in their children's room.
- Alexander Müller, while living in Saxony, has noticed the diligence of housing companies in ensuring that their apartments, including properties in Chemnitz, are fitted with smoke alarms, enhancing overall safety standards and giving him peace of mind.
Source: www.stern.de
