It is the duty of the owner and a legal requirement
to ensure that all gas appliances and flues are maintained
in a safe condition and inspected and checked for safety
at least every twelve months by a CORGI (Council for
Registered Gas Installers) registered engineer.
A Gas Safety Certificate (GSC) should be issued by
the CORGI engineer and must record the gas appliances
in the property, dates of inspection and any defects
identified and the remedial action taken.
Appliances which typically need to be checked include
gas central heating boilers, ovens, hobs, water heaters
and room heaters that are run on either mains gas or
LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas).
A copy of the Gas Safety Certificate must be provided
to each tenant within 28 days of the safety check.
Any new tenants must be provided with a copy of the
GSC before they occupy the property. It should be noted
that records of the annual maintenance check must be
kept for a minimum of two years.
Whenever possible, ensure that operating instructions
booklets for each gas appliance are available at the
property for tenants to refer to.
Remember, apart from the obvious safety implications,
it is a criminal offence not to comply with the gas
safety regulations.
Furniture & furnishings
regulations
For Landlords planning to leave furniture
in rental property, it must be borne in mind you have
a duty to ensure it complies with the rules and regulations
concerning fire safety in rented accommodation.
The regulations apply to upholstered furniture purchased
after March 1st 1993 and includes items such as beds,
head-boards and mattresses, sofas, armchairs, sofa-beds,
cushions, pillows etc. (this list is not exhaustive).
Some items which the regulations do not apply to include
antique furniture, or any furniture made before 1950,
carpets and curtains.
You should not buy or provide any furniture for letting
that does not comply with the regulations. Always look
to make sure there is an appropriate label which verifies
the furniture complies with the legislation above.
An example of this would be a permanent attached written
label, or a display label showing a picture of a smoking
cigarette and flaming match. Remember to keep all receipts
for purchase of furniture and retain the statutory
display labels (those not permanently attached) in
a safe place in case tenants wish to enquire as to
the compliance of any particular item of furniture.
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While at present there is no statutory annual testing requirement (unlike gas
safety regulations) we thoroughly recommend that prior to letting your property
the appropriate checks and safeguards are carried out to meet the requirements
of the regulations.
It is important that landlords understand they have a duty to ensure that the
fixed electrical installation (i.e. the mains wiring) and any supplied domestic
appliances and other electrical equipment in a rental property are safe to use
and in good repair.
The regulations cover all mains voltage electrical goods. Examples of appliances
covered by these regulations include; cookers, kettles, toasters, electric blankets,
immersion heaters, washing machines, dishwashers, microwave ovens, refrigerators,
etc. We recommend that a portable appliance test (PAT) certificate is provided
by a suitably qualified engineer prior to the initial letting of your property
and annually thereafter. Any non-repairable items must be replaced or removed.
The manufacturers operating instructions for each appliance must be available
at the property to help ensure tenants use the equipment safely. It is important
that the fixed electrical installation is checked for safety by an NICEIC or
similarly qualified electrical engineer. This ensures the wiring, sockets, light
fittings etc. are sound and that fittings like showers, electric cookers and
immersion heaters are deemed safe. The Institute of Electrical Engineers (IEE)
recommends that this is carried out at least every ten years in a domestic environment.
Under building regulations introduced in January 2005, any new electrical work,
repairs, or maintenance carried out on certain high risk areas of a residential
property must be certified by a qualified electrical engineer who is registered
with a Part P Approved Self-Certification Scheme. Failure to comply with these
regulations is a criminal offence which could result in a fine, imprisonment,
or both.
We will be happy to assist Landlord clients with their compliance of the safety
regulations. For further information, please contact our Residential Lettings
team on 020 7731 0220 or e-mail
us.
Disclaimer: The brief information
above is a guide only to assist landlords to understand
the effects of the safety regulations. It is not intended
to be an authoritative, comprehensive, or complete
interpretation of the regulations themselves. Landlords
should take all necessary steps to ensure they fully
understand their obligations and responsibilities under
the relevant safety regulations
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HIPs
& EPCs