As a landlord, you have to make sure your rented property is safe and free from health hazards. This includes meeting gas, electrical and fire safety responsibilities:

Gas – Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, landlords must make sure that gas appliances, fittings and flues are safe for tenants to use, and also that installation, maintenance and annual safety checks are carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Tenants must receive a copy of the gas safety certificate. Gas safety checks have to be carried out every year.

Electricity – Under the Electrical Equipment and Safety Regulations, as of 1st December 2015 landlords must make sure that the electrical system and all electrical appliances supplied are safe. Tenants should receive a full copy of the EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) which must be carried out at a maximum of every 5 years, before their tenancy starts. Any electrical appliances supplied by the landlord must also be PAT tested every 2 years, and the appliances with have a test sticker with date tested on the plugs.

Fire – Fire safety regulations must be followed, for example access to escape routes, and any furniture and furnishings supplied must be fire safe.

Houses of Multiple Occupation have to meet extra fire and electrical safety standards.

At BS Properties, our Property Management Consultants can advise you on the regulations, organise your safety inspections and handle the ongoing safety checks for you.

EPC's- With effect from 1st October 2008, all new tenancies require an Energy Performance Certificate. Their purpose is to determine how energy efficient homes are on a scale of A-G. The most efficient homes - which should have the lowest fuel bills - are in band A. The certificate uses the same scale to define the impact a home has on the environment.

This must be provided to tenants before the start of every tenancy and lasts for 10 years from date of certificate.

Smoke Detectors- From 1st December 2015, all properties must have a smoke detector fitted in the most commonly used room for day to day living (the lounge), one in the hallway, a heat detector in the kitchen and an additional smoke detector on each floor in the hallway (if more than 1 floor). These alarms must all be hardwired and interlinked

Carbon Monoxide Alarms- From 1st December 2015 a carbon monoxide alarm must be fitted in a property where gas appliances or boilers are present. This alarm does not have to be hardwired, it can be battery operated.