safety regulations

Safety Regulations for Rental Properties

The furniture and furnishings (fire) (safety) (amendment) regulations 1993

• It is now an offence to install any furniture in let properties which does not comply with the regulations.
• The regulations apply to beds, mattresses and headboards, scatter cushions and pillows, stretch or loose covers for furniture, children’s furniture, garden furniture and any items of similar type fillings of which must carry the appropriate labels of compliance.
• Upholstered furniture must have fire resistant filling material and must pass a cigarette resistance test.
• Permanent covers must pass a match resistance test.

The gas safety (installation and use) regulations 1998

• All gas appliances and associated pipe work and flues should be maintained to ensure they are safe to use. An annual inspection by a qualified registered CORGI gas engineer is now a requirement of law.
  
• A Gas Safety Record (GSR) must be kept with the dates of inspection and any defects identified. This record must be provided to the tenant upon signing the tenancy agreement.
  
• A gas appliance with an open flue should not be installed in a bedroom.
  
• Where the gas meter is installed in a meter box, you should supply the tenant with a suitably labeled key to the box.
  
• After work on any gas appliance, a defined series of safety checks must be performed.
  
• Instructions for any gas appliance must be left for the tenant.
  
• Any gas appliance that is suspected or known to be faulty or incorrectly installed must not be used by anyone and should be removed/replaced or repaired immediately.
  
• Ventilation is needed for gas appliances to work correctly and safely. You should take care not to block vents and air bricks.

The electrical equipment (safety) regulations 1994

• Electrical supply and appliances within a property must be ‘safe’.
  
• All electrical appliances must be checked at regular intervals for defects (e.g. frayed wiring, badly fitted plugs etc.).
  
• Any unsafe items should be removed from the property prior to offering it for rent.
  
• No statutory checking procedure or timescale exists. However, we strongly recommend that all landlords have an annual inspection of electrical appliances including an annual electrical supply safety check, by a qualified electrical engineer. Records of these checks conducted at the property should be retained and provided for inspection if required.
  
• Smoke alarms are advised to be fitted to all let properties and should be regularly checked to ensure that they are in full working order.

The plugs and sockets (safety) regulations 1994 (consumer protection act 1987)

• Any plug, socket or adapter supplied which is intended for domestic use, must comply with the appropriate current regulations.

Building regulations - part "p" electircal safety and dwellings

• The Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 puts the onus on Landlords to ensure the electrical installation in their property is safe when the tenancy begins, and that it is maintained in a safe condition throughout that tenancy. All domestic electric installation work (particularly in kitchens and bathrooms) must be carried out by a Government “Approved” contractor. In addition, electrical contractors will have to verify the work complies with British Standard Safety Requirements (BS7671). Failure to comply with these regulations is a criminal offence and could result in fines of up to £5,000 and/or imprisonment.