As a landlord, you have a duty of care to ensure your rental properties are safe for tenants. Failure to provide a safe rental home can lead to legal problems and significant fines, so it’s crucial to be proactive about safety. Some safety requirements are also mandatory if you are managing an HMO. Here are 7 key things every landlord must do to keep their tenants safe.
Gas Safety Checks
Ensuring gas safety is one of the biggest and most important responsibilities landlords have. The law states that all gas appliances, flues, and pipework in your rental property must be checked annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer, such as a heating engineer Colchester – learn more here. They will inspect and service appliances like boilers, fires, cookers, and hobs to ensure they are working properly and not leaking carbon monoxide.
The engineer will check that there is adequate ventilation and that flues from appliances vent externally safely. They will assess all pipework for leaks, corrosion, damage, or faulty joints. The engineer will also look at the location of appliances to ensure there is no risk of ignition or fires. If any appliances are in sleeping areas, they should be removed, or the room should be sealed.
After completing the gas safety check, the engineer must provide you with a Gas Safety Certificate confirming the inspection results. Keep this certificate safe as evidence you have complied with requirements. If the engineer finds safety defects, ensure you get them fixed immediately and do not allow tenants to use faulty appliances. Keep tenants updated and give them a copy of the new certificate once repairs are done.
Electrical Safety Checks
Electrical safety is also essential. While 5-yearly EICR checks are now mandatory, annual visual checks of plugs, wires, and appliances should also be done. Check for worn, loose, or faulty wiring and have repairs carried out by a qualified electrician. Provide tenants with instruction manuals for electrical items.
A copy of the EICR must be shown to tenants within 14 days of the start of the tenancy.
Show tenants how to safely use and maintain electrical appliances. Advise them to take care with electrical items they bring into the property, particularly around water. While it is not a legal requirement, make sure portable appliances you supply have been PAT tested before use.
Install sufficient electrical sockets in good condition to prevent overloading and the use of extension cords. Check any outside wiring is weatherproof and in good order. If using an outdoor extension cord, ensure it is rated for the conditions and inspected regularly for wear and damage. Ensure all electrical alterations or improvements are done by accredited electricians, with certification provided afterwards. Keep an eye out for new hazards like trailing wires, cracked plugs, or blackened sockets, and address these swiftly.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors must be installed in rental accommodation, as per the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Regulations. There should be at least one smoke alarm on every floor and a carbon monoxide detector in any room with a solid fuel or gas-burning appliance (excluding gas cookers). Check alarms and make sure you are replacing a smoke detector battery regularly to ensure they are functioning. Tenants should be shown how to test the alarms. Replace batteries when required, but ideally, fit wired smoke and CO alarms.
Fire Safety
Landlords need to assess fire risks and provide precautions like fire doors, extinguishers, and blankets. There should be clear emergency escape routes, with doors and passages kept clear. If necessary, put in place a fire detection and alarm system. It’s important to note the rules are more rigorous for HMO landlords.
Safe Furniture and Appliances
Provide furnishings and appliances that are up to current safety standards, which are the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. All beds, sofas, and other furniture used indoors should meet fire safety regulations. The regulations don’t apply to antique furniture, bed covers, curtains, and similar.
Regular Property Checks
Landlords should carry out regular general checks of the property’s condition. Look for potential hazards like loose carpets, damaged flooring, broken locks, or anything that could cause an accident or security issue. Conduct checks between tenancies and annually during a tenancy. Keep records of inspections and repairs.
Tenant Awareness
Make sure tenants are fully aware of fire escape routes, how to use safety equipment, what to do in an emergency, and who to contact about repairs. Provide instruction manuals and demonstrate equipment like boiler controls. Respond promptly if tenants report safety concerns or issues needing maintenance.
Landlords have a legal Duty of Care for tenant safety, so it’s important to be vigilant and proactive. Conducting thorough risk assessments and having a safety-first mindset is essential. By putting sensible safety precautions in place and maintaining your rental properties diligently, you can demonstrate compliance and prevent potential accidents or hazards. Making safety a priority will protect your tenants, comply with regulations, and minimise your own liability as a landlord.
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