Updates and changes in mandatory legislation are provided by our professional body and are an invaluable resource in ensuring our Landlords comply with the Law.
Noncompliance can result in Landlords suffering punitive sanctions including:
- Unlimited fines
- Unlimited custodial sentences
- Criminal Record including manslaughter charges in the event of a fatality.
- Buildings and Contents Insurance being rendered invalid
- Tenants seeking damages through a County Court
Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998
Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 all gas installation, fittings, pipe-works, flue and appliances must be checked for safety at least once a year by a Gas Safe registered gas engineer.
At the commencement of the tenancy a copy of the Gas Safety Record must be provided to the tenants. Annual safety checks are required thereafter along with the new Gas Safety Record that must be shared with the tenants within 28 days of the expiry of the previous one.
Gas Safety Records must be retained for a period of 2 years from the date of testing and must be available to for inspection upon request.
Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994
Under the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 Landlords have a legal obligation and a duty of care to Tenants to ensure that the electrical equipment they supply in a property is in safe condition.
Should the electrical equipment within your rental property cause harm to a tenant you could be held liable.
In the event of an injury or fatality a defence of due diligence may be accepted where it can be shown that the Landlord took all reasonable steps to avoid exposing the tenants to danger.
To demonstrate due diligence the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) recommend that electrical appliances are tested annually by an electrician who is approved by them.
In addition, instruction manuals for both fixed and portable appliances should be made available to the tenants
Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020
Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 Landlords are required to provide Tenants with an Electrical Inspection Condition Report (EICR) and evidence that any C1 or C2 hazards identified have been eliminated at the beginning of their Tenancies.
EICR’s must be repeated 5 years after they were carried out by a NICEIC qualified electrician.
Local Housing Authorities will enforce the legislation and have the power to arrange remedial action.
Part P Building Regulations
It is a legal requirement that any electrical installation work carried out in dwellings including rented properties complies with the British Standard for electrical installations BS 7671.
Any work carried out will need to be certified (excluding existing electrical installations) to show that it complies with BS 7671.
Landlords must notify the local authority building control team before work starts and must ensure that it is either carried out or inspected by a NICEIC qualified electrician.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022
We the Landlords understand that it is our statutory duty to comply with the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 by ensuring that ;
- A smoke alarm is fitted on each storey of the Property where there is at least one room used wholly or partially as accommodation, including bathrooms and lavatories.
- A carbon monoxide alarm Is fitted in every room of the Property used wholly or partly as accommodation and which contains a fixed combustion appliance, including bathrooms and lavatories.
- Both smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are tested on the day the Tenancy starts to ensure they are in working order.
- Both smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are repaired or replaced upon notification that they are faulty.
Furniture and Furnishing (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 as amended in 1989 and 1993
Under the Furniture and Furnishing (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 as amended in 1989 and 1993 all furniture and furnishings must pass the ‘smouldering cigarette’ and ‘match flame’ resistance test and carry a label confirming this.
Generally, items manufactured in the UK after 1990 are likely to 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.
Exceptions to these regulations include:
- Furniture manufactured before 1950
- Carpets and curtains
- Bed linen including duvets but excluding pillows.
Compliant furniture will bear labels showing them to be so.
If they have been removed, proof of purchase in the UK is required to prove compliance.
Legionella Health and Safety Executive Guidance HSG274
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 Landlords must assess and control the risk to Tenants of exposure to the legionella bacteria.
It is recommended that risk assessments should be retained and carried out every year.
Control measures may include:
- Flushing out the water system
- Ensuring cold water tanks are sealed
- Setting control parameters to ensure water is stored at the correct temperature
- Providing tenants with guidelines on minimising the risk to exposure
Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007
The Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 state that Landlords are required to order and make all reasonable efforts to obtain an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) within seven days of instructing an agent to let your property.
Please note that Trading Standards police these regulations and prohibit us from advertising properties that do not display a valid EPC.
Properties with an EPC rating below E cannot be rented
Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) was introduced under the Housing Act 2004
The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) was introduced under the Housing Act 2004 and applies to residential properties in England and Wales.
It is an evaluation tool to assist local authorities in identifying and protecting against potential risks and hazards to health and safety from any deficiencies in dwellings.
For the avoidance of doubt dwellings include the rented property as well as any common areas which the tenant has the right to use or access.
The HHSRS assesses 29 categories of housing hazard.
Each hazard is weighted to according to their severity and classified as either Category 1 (serious) or Category 2 (other) factoring in the vulnerability of those subjected to it.
It is the Landlord’s responsibility to ensure that properties are let in a suitable condition.
We appreciate that compliance may appear daunting, however we will be with you every step of the way.
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