6 safety regulations your landlord must follow for your tenancy
Landlords have a legal and moral obligation to ensure that the residential properties they let out are safe to be inhabited.
Unfortunately, a Guardian report seems to suggest that hundreds of thousands of families are living in “dangerously substandard” rented accommodation. If you are a landlord, you could face a hefty fine if you are found to be neglecting your duties, and you could also end up having the welfare of a family on your conscience.
Gas and electrical checks
In properties that have gas appliances, an annual gas safety check needs to be carried out by a certified gas engineer. The paperwork must be given to the tenant. Electrical inspections of a similar nature are also required in accommodation that houses multiple tenants, such as bedsits or shared houses, and any electrical appliances that come with the property should be checked and approved prior to tenants moving in.
Fire safety
Properties with multiple dwellings require strict fire safety regulations, including risk assessments that comply with the Fire Safety Order. Fire alarms should be provided and checked regularly, and escape routes should also be inspected to ensure accessibility. Most tenancies – including single occupancy – also require fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to be present on each floor.
Legionella awareness
The risk of Legionnaires’ disease, which is caused a type of bacteria found in water supplies, varies depending on the property. In high-risk buildings, landlords should be expected to perform a risk assessment.
Energy Performance Certificates
An EPC needs to be obtained before a landlord can legally rent out a property. These reports assess the best way to reduce energy costs and should be presented to the tenant.
Deposits
It is essential that your tenant’s deposit is protected under one of three key schemes and that they are presented with the paperwork to confirm this. Any administration or rental charges should be clearly differentiated from the deposit money to avoid confusion. If you are part of a letting agency like TGRES Gloucester letting agents offering flats to rent in Gloucester, it is important that fees are clearly publicised and proof of client money protection is declared.
Eviction
Do not harass your tenants. If a tenancy isn’t working out, seek a court order and do not attempt to carry out an eviction yourself.
