SAFETY STANDARDS

In order to let a residential property there are a number of standards that need to be met. In addition to a Landlord’s statutory repairing obligations there are a number if safety standards covered by specific lesiglation that need to be complied with. There are no grey areas and non-compliance can result in hefty financial penalties or a custodial sentence for both Landlord and Managing Agent.

Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 - Where there is gas at a property, the Landlord is required by law to obtain a Gas Safety Certificate from a Corgi registered gas installer, prior to the commencement of the tenancy and annually whilst the property remains tenanted. All appliances, flues and chimneys belonging to the Landlord must be checked and even if all of the appliances and flues belong to the tenant, the Landlord must still provide gas safety certification for the incoming service. Even if there is nothing more than a gas meter at the property then this still must be checked.

We can provide this certificate via one of our approved Contractors at a reasonable cost.

Fire and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 as amended 1993 - Should your decision be to let your property on a furnished basis then all soft furnishings must comply with the Regulations. All furniture manufactured after 1 March 1990 must by law comply with the safety standard and should carry a permanent label to verify this. Exempt from the regulations are furnishings manufactured prior to 1950 and those filled with natural fibres and materials. We can, of course, advise you further.

The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 - These regulations require that electrical equipment at the property be “safe and of no risk to human or animal”. Although, as a Landlord, lesiglation does not require you to have items professionally checked, clearly only a qualified electrician can do this and we would recommend that all appliances are PAT (portable appliance test) tested at the outset of a tenancy.

We can provide this certificate via one of our approved Contractors at a reasonable cost.