PROPERTY SAFETY STANDARDS
All properties must meet with the minimum legal requirements for rented property. These standards are set out within the following:
Housing Act 1988: It is the landlords’ responsibility to provide a property that meets the standard test of the Housing Act 1988. Structural faults, such as roof repairs collapsed drains etc, fall to the Landlord to Fix.
The Landlord is also responsible for those items listed in an inventory that require replacement due to normal wear and tear.
Gas Safety checks
To ensure that any gas appliance in a property (other than a gas appliance which a tenant is entitled to remove should they vacate the property) that is owned by a landlord that is rented out must be checked for gas safety within 12 months of the installation date of the appliance and then within 12 months after. This is a requirement of Regulation 36 (Duties of Landlords) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (GSIUR). In addition there are other statutory obligations placed upon the Landlord under the health and Safety at Work etc Act 1975 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work regulations (MHSWR) 1999.
All landlords are required to carry out a Landlord Gas Safety Record Check. The landlord or his Agent is required to keep a copy of the form and a copy of the form must be given to the tenant within 28 days of the annual check.
We strongly recommend that at least two smoke detectors are fitted and that a fire blanket and or extinguisher are supplied in the kitchen. An insurance claim could be adversely affected where such preventive measures are ignored.
If the property is heated using oil or solid fuel it is essential that the heating system is properly serviced and flues/chimneys etc are regularly maintained.
The landlord should ensure that the electrical system (property wiring) and any electrical appliance supplied into eh property such as cookers, kettles, toasters, washing machines, fridges, freezers and immersion heaters are safe to use.
Electrical work
From 1st January 2005 Proposed domestic electrical installation work – especially in kitchens and bathrooms must be notified to an appropriate building control body. It means that before beginning domestic electrical work you must establish that your contractor or electrician is registered as a prescribed competent person with an authorised electrical self-certification scheme. You must ask your contractor for a Minor Electrical Installation works certificate. In the case of DIY project, ask a competent person to inspect and test the work and supply a Minor Electrical Installation works Certificate. You should retain the Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate in your home-Log book_ for inspection by anybody carrying out subsequent electrical work or periodic inspections.
If you require any additional information about any of the above please do not hesitate to contact us.
