Compliance
Gas Safety
As a landlord you must arrange an annual safety check on all gas appliances and flues with a Gas Safe registered engineer.
A copy of the test certificate must be provided to the tenant with 28 days of the check being completed, or at the start of any new tenancy.
Copies of each certificate must be kept for at least two years.
Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms
In England it is a legal requirement for all rental properties in England to adhere to The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022, which cam into force 1st October 2022.
Carbon monoxide alarms must be installed and in proper working order in any room used as living accommodation which contains a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers). These appliances are generally powered by gas, oil, coal or wood, like gas or oil-burning boilers or a wood-burning stove.
There should also be at least one smoke alarm on every floor of the property where a room is used or partly used as living accommodation. Good practice would dictate that the alarms are interlinked.
A heat sensor in the kitchen is also advisable along with a fire blanket.
Every alarm must be in proper working order on the first day of a new tenancy.
Electric Safety
As a landlord you are responsible for having the fixed electrical installation for your property inspected and tested every 5 years by a qualified person. Usually, this person will be part of a competent person scheme, for example NAPIT or NICEIC.
A copy of the test certificate must be provided to the tenant with 28 days of the check being completed, or at the start of any new tenancy.
Legionella
Legionnaires’ disease is a pneumonia-like infection commonly caused by the inhalation of small droplets of water contaminated with Legionella bacteria. Landlords must assess and control the risk of tenant's exposure to Legionella. Control measures include:
- Flushing out the water system before letting the property
- Ensuring cold water tanks have a tight lid to stop debris from getting into the system
- Setting control parameters to ensure water is stored at the correct temperature
- Removing unused pipework
You should inform your tenants about control measures they can do such as cleaning showerheads or running all the taps for five minutes if they've been away. Tell them to let you (or your agent) know if problems occur with the water system, or if the water's not heating properly.
You should keep any records of any legionella assessments and plan follow up checks to be carried out periodically
Furniture and Furnishings
The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 set levels of fire resistance for domestic upholstered furniture, furnishings and other products containing upholstery. All furnishings should pass the 'smouldering cigarette' and 'match flame' resistance test and carry a label confirming this.
Generally, items manufactured in the UK after 1990 meet the required standards and display the appropriate permanent label confirming their compliance. If items do not comply, they should be removed from the property before it is let, unless they are deemed an exemption, e.g. furniture manufactured before 1950.
Energy Performance Certificates
A property must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPCs) for it to be let under an assure shorthold tenancy, with the rating being between A to E.
An EPC is valid for 10 years.
