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As Plymouth’s largest blinds showroom, Beacon Blinds stocks a comprehensive range of blinds, curtains and awnings. They are a local blinds supplier providing great value solutions to homeowners and businesses in Plymouth, Plymstock, Plympton, Tavistock, Ivybridge, Saltash, Liskeard, Totnes, Kingsbridge & South Hams.
Offering 15% discount on complete blinds (excluding special offers or promotions) and a 10 % discount on spare parts.
Free measuring and installation service still applies to this offer.
Proof of SWLA membership must be produced at point of sale for discount to apply.
Beacon Blinds – 263 Beacon Park Rd, Beacon Park, Plymouth, PL2 3JP. 01752 787666.
To view the range please visit www.beaconblinds.co.uk
For all deals, visit The Big You Can Do It Sale | Tradepoint (trade-point.co.uk) from Friday 28th June.
Notice of a General Meeting
Open afternoon in the SWLA Office
Wednesday 10th July 2024 – 3pm – 6pm @ 30 Dale Road, Plymouth PL4 6PD
Come and meet staff, committee and other SWLA members.
There will be a cream tea for you to enjoy while you chat!
All welcome.
We hope you will take the opportunity to pop in.
The President and Chairman met with Peter Gold (Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport. Central to the discussion were items on Reform’s Contract regarding ‘Scrap Section 24 for Landlords’, ‘Abolish the Renters (Reform) Bill’, and ‘Reform Social Housing Law’.
The news has been awash with reports of E-Bike battery fires and in this tragic case, the deaths within a young family; https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd11gnqp27wo
If your tenant charges an E-Bike in their home – provide them with the following guide;
With their ability to enable more people of all ages and abilities to cycle, or to cycle further, e-cycles are an important element of the government’s ambition for active travel to make a significant contribution to the decarbonisation of the transport sector.
While most e-cycles are very safe, as with all products using lithium batteries, there is a risk of fire, particularly for counterfeit, damaged or poorly modified e-cycles and batteries, or when the incorrect charger is used.
Lithium battery fires can be particularly dangerous and hard to extinguish. The following advice should help to limit the risk of fire.
Electrically assisted pedal cycles, or e-cycles/e-bikes, have an electric motor to help you pedal.
Riders must be at least 14, but no licence, special equipment or insurance is needed to ride one, provided that the e-cycle meets certain rules, which specify, for example, that the motor must have a maximum continuous rated power (250 watts) and motor cut-off speed (15.5 mph).
Modifying the motor or battery will increase the likelihood of a fire.
Modern e-cycles are generally powered by lithium batteries and are normally supplied with a battery charger that plugs into a normal household mains socket.
Although most e-cycles and their batteries are very safe in normal use, lithium battery packs can, particularly if of poor quality or when damaged or improperly used:
This guidance comprises advice from:
It’s safest to buy a complete e-cycle, with battery pack and charger included, from a reputable retailer.
Register your product with the manufacturer. This makes it easier to contact you in the event of a recall or safety alert.
Be especially careful when purchasing second-hand, refurbished or converted bikes. It can be hard to establish reliably whether such products are counterfeit or genuine, and whether they meet proper UK (or EU) standards. Look for CE or UKCA marking.
If you need a spare battery pack or charger, buy only genuine items authorised by the e-cycle or drive system manufacturer. Using a reputable supplier will reduce the risk of being sold counterfeit items. Genuine battery packs and chargers may cost more, but using third-party items that may not be safe or compatible could put your life at risk or destroy your home.
Be cautious about buying used e-cycle battery packs. Whether or not any physical damage is visible, the battery could already have been damaged or abused and pose an increased fire risk.
E-cycle conversion kits are products that turn a conventional cycle into an e-cycle.
Although the concept may seem attractively affordable, the fact that the kit is retro-fitted, often by the end user, to a cycle not designed and tested for this application, means that buying a complete e-cycle is generally a safer option.
If you decide to buy an e-cycle conversion kit:
DIY e-cycle kit installations have been found to sometimes result in damage to the kit, increasing the chances of battery failure and the likelihood of a fire. Note that the person who installed the kit is liable for the product’s safety, even if they’re a private individual, so an incident could have serious financial consequences. If possible, instead have the kit installed by a professional/competent person who is properly insured for this work.
Some users may be tempted to modify e-cycles (or cycles converted into e-cycles by a kit) to exceed the speed or power limits (15.5 mph and 250 watts) for a legal e-cycle.
Users should be aware that if an e-cycle is modified to exceed these legal limits, it becomes an unregistered motorbike in law. If you use such a vehicle on the road you could face a fine and penalty points on your licence and the vehicle could be impounded. You are also unlikely to be covered by any insurance.
Even if carried out without introducing direct electrical hazards, such as short circuit risks through poor wiring/connection, modifications of this type generally increase the electrical load on the battery and drive system. These may then overheat, substantially increasing the risk of fire.
Do not charge an e-cycle or battery pack where, if a fire breaks out, it could prevent you from safely leaving your home.
Avoid storing or charging e-cycles on escape routes or in communal areas of multi-occupied buildings.
Ensure everyone is aware of an escape plan in the event of a fire.
If possible, store and charge e-cycles and battery packs in a shed or garage separate from your home.
As far as possible, do not charge batteries or store your e-cycle near combustible or flammable materials.
If you charge or store your e-cycle inside your property, ensure you install suitable fire detection. Fire services recommend heat alarms rather than smoke alarms for garages or kitchens. Ensure you have working smoke alarms in other rooms. Avoid excessively hot, cold or damp areas, especially for charging.
Use only the charger supplied with the e-cycle, or a replacement authorised by the manufacturer.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for storage, charging and maintenance of your battery pack.
Do not overcharge your battery – check the manufacturer’s instructions for charge times and unplug your charger once the battery has charged.
If it’s hot after intensive use, let the battery cool before charging it.
It’s vitally important that you charge batteries only while you’re awake and alert so that if a fire should occur you can respond quickly. Do not leave batteries on charge while you are asleep or away from the home.
Do not cover chargers or battery packs when charging as this could lead to overheating and possibly fire.
Batteries should never be exposed to extreme temperatures (keep them out of direct sunlight when not in use).
Do not overload socket outlets or extension leads. Use extension leads uncoiled and ensure the lead is suitably rated for what you are plugging into it – especially if using multiple chargers at once, or other electrical loads.
Be alert, both while charging the battery and while using the e-cycle, for any of the warning signs listed below, and know how to act if you detect a fire hazard.
The warning signs that your e-cycle battery could be a fire hazard include:
It’s normal for batteries to generate some heat when charging or in use, but if it feels extremely hot to the touch, it may be defective and at risk of fire, so stop charging it immediately.
A battery bulging or swelling out of shape is a common sign of it failing. You should stop using it immediately. The same applies if there is any type of lump or leak from the device.
Failing lithium batteries have been reported to make hissing or cracking sounds.
A strong or unusual smell (which could be toxic) from the battery could be a sign that it’s failing.
Failure to fully charge, or longer charge times, can be a sign that your battery is failing.
If your battery or device is smoking, a fire has already started. Raise the alarm, get out, stay out and call 999 immediately.
If your battery shows any of the warning signs listed above but is not smoking or on fire:
If the device starts smoking or catches fire:
Battery packs can be damaged in use, most often by dropping them or in a crash.
Damaged batteries can catch fire rapidly and without warning. Check your battery regularly for any signs of damage. If you suspect any damage, you should replace the battery. Do not charge or use it.
If you need to dispose of a damaged or end-of-life battery, do not dispose of it in your household waste or normal recycling. These batteries can cause fires in bin lorries and at recycling and waste centres.
The manufacturer or importer of your e-cycle must offer a free take-back service for waste e-cycle battery packs. Contact them for details or ask the retailer where you bought the e-cycle. Alternatively, check with your local authority for suitable battery recycling arrangements in your area.
Wednesday 10th July from 3pm-6pm, pop in for a cream tea and a catch up! All welcome.
SWLA Open Office Afternoon – South West Landlords Association (landlordssouthwest.co.uk)
For over 35 years, Marks Electrical have been selling the best of appliances and televisions to over a million satisfied customers.
Marks Electrical are offering an exclusive 5% discount to SWLA members.
Award winning service
Most companies claim they provide an award-winning service but at Marks Electrical, they really do. In addition to their awards, they have also been recognised by Google for the excellent shopping experience they provide, their reliable on-time delivery and their excellent customer service.
Knowledgeable staff
Their fully trained sales team have an intricate grasp of stock and are happy to put their product know-how to the test. Call on their expertise anytime by visiting the showroom, picking up the phone or sending them an email.
Price match
Marks Electrical prices are rarely beaten, but they will match a price if you find it cheaper elsewhere online. They will even match sale prices!
They also provide a Next Day Delivery Service and an Installation Service.
To shop, please visit www.markselectrical.co.uk or call 0116 251 5515
FOR YOUR EXCLUSIVE SWLA 5% DISCOUNT CODE, LOG IN TO THE SWLA MEMBERS AREA, OR CONTACT THE SWLA OFFICE.
Whilst the Renters (Reform) Bill did not complete its passage. The Leasehold and Reform Act is now law and will come into force. We will advise members when the Act comes into force.
What is included in the Act?
Once the Act is in force, the legislation aims to strengthen consumer rights by:
What is not included in the Act?
A cap on ground rents, this was not included.
In addition to this, new flats will remain leasehold by default. Initially, the Act was expected to make commonhold the default tenure for flats.
A number of amendments aimed at resolving the unfairness of the Building Safety Act were also not included.
Article Abridged from NRLA
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/leasehold-reforms-become-law
