NEARLY half of people renting a private property in the region have not had a carbon monoxide alarm installed by their landlord, research has revealed.

And around ten per cent of tenants are unsure whether they have an alarm or not.

The survey was carried out by campaign group Project SHOUT, which raises awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

Pressure is mounting for a change in law to make it mandatory for landlords to install CO alarms in all properties – present legislation only applies to premises with solid-fuel-burning appliances.

“These findings are a huge cause for alarm as ‘generation rent’ is set to swell over the next decade – with half of those aged under 40 predicted to be living in properties owned by private landlords by 2025,” said a Project SHOUT spokesman.

“Carbon monoxide is produced when fuel doesn’t burn properly, usually from badly-fitted or poorly-maintained appliances.

“Common sources of CO are gas and oil boilers, gas hobs and fires, log burners, open fires and barbecues.

“Around 50 people die each year from CO poisoning – deaths that are preventable by fitting an alarm.”

Symptoms of CO poisoning include dizziness, headaches and nausea.

For more details, visit projectshout.com.