Safety Regulations Check-List
Khalil Properties will tackle some safety regulations for landlords and will assist in maintaining these safety requirement in situations where the landlord has instructed us to fully manage their properties. However, for landlords that do not wish to take up this option with Khalil Properties, here is a useful list of safety issues which one must keep in mind when letting a property:
Energy Performance Certificate
Message to all Landlords. From 1 October 2008 any rented property will be legally required an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998
Gas is one of the most popular fuels for heating and cooking in domestic property in this country but it has two major disadvantages. Firstly it's flammable and explosive, and secondly, the fumes given off from poorly maintained appliances contain carbon monoxide - a poison which is silent, odourless and deadly.
To combat this the government introduced compulsory regulations for tenanted properties under the Health & Safety At Work Act 1974, to ensure that:
Gas appliances, pipe work, fittings and flues belonging to the landlord are checked for safety every 12 months by a CORGI (Council Of Registered Gas Installers) qualified contractor.
Before a tenant takes occupation of a property, the landlord must have all gas appliances inspected by a CORGI registered engineer, who must then provide the landlord with a record to confirm that this inspection has taken place.
The landlord must provide the tenant with a copy of the landlord gas safety record within 28 days of the CORGI inspection being completed. Full records must be kept for at least 2 years of the inspection of each appliance and flue, of any defects found, and of any remedial action taken.
Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994
These regulations require that any person supplying electrical equipment must ensure that it is safe and will not cause danger. Therefore it is necessary to make a visual check to ensure the safety of all electrical appliances, plugs, sockets and wiring.
Furniture & Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988 (amended 1993)
Another danger sometimes present in homes in the UK, is the risk from fire and resultant toxic fumes in soft furnishings. It is unlawful in the course of business to supply furniture and furnishings which do not comply with these regulations. The regulations apply for such items of soft furnishings as chairs, sofas, futons, beds, cushions, seat pads, and pillows.
Smoke Alarms
All properties built after 1991 must, by law, have been fitted with mains-powered smoke detector alarms on each floor. Although there is no legislation requiring smoke alarms to be fitted in other ordinary tenanted properties, it is generally considered that the common law 'Duty Of Care' means that landlords and their agents could be liable should a fire cause injury or damage in any tenanted property where smoke alarms are not fitted.