Safety Regulations and Responsibilities Electrical Safety
Gas Safety
The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 and The Plugs and Sockets ect. (Safety) Regulations 1994 state that supplying unsafe appliances is an offence. In the event of an accident involving electricity the Landlord must be able to demonstrate that the supply and appliances were safe. We recommend that all appliances have an annual Portable Appliance Test (PAT) by a qualified engineer. We would also recommend that the electrical wiring is tested on regular basis by way of an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) which must be done by a qualified electrical engineer which is registered under the NICEIC.
The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 state that all rented properties with gas installed, must be tested annually. Only Gas Safe registered engineers with Approved Codes Of Practice (ACOP) are authorised to carry out work on gas appliances and piping.
Fire and Furnishing Regulations Since January, 1997 all furniture provided in furnished rented accommodation (houses, flats, bedsits) must meet the fire resistance requirement of the Furniture and Furnishing (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1998. The regulations apply to any of the following upholstered items: • • • • •
Beds, mattresses and headboards Sofa beds, futons and any other convertibles Loose and stretch covers for furniture Nursery furniture Scatter cushions, seat covers and pillows
We cannot let any property containing noncompliant furniture. All items must carry a permanent label as proof that items are compliant with regulations.
Smoke Alarms Under The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 it became law that all private sector Landlords must have: • at least one working smoke alarm installed on every storey of their rental property which is used as living accommodation • a working carbon monoxide alarm in any room used as living accommodation where solid fuel is used Included in our Fully Managed Service all smoke alarms and Co2 detectors are checked during inspections. Our maintenance team can arrange installation of these devices.
Legionella Risk Assessment Legionella is a potentially fatal illness which can be caught by inhaling bacteria generated by hot and cold water systems. It is recommended that all residential rental properties have a Legionella Risk Assessment completed every two years to comply with the law.