Legal Requirements

Gas Safety Checks

As per The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, it is a legal requirement to make sure all gas appliances, fittings and flues provided for tenants are safe by having a Gas engineer complete an annual gas safety check. Gas appliances should be serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions or annually unless advised otherwise by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

 

EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) & P.A.T (Portable Appliance Testing)

Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. The regulations came into force on 1 June 2020, they apply to new tenancies from 1 July 2020 and existing tenancies from 1 April 2021. Landlords are required to have the electrical installations in their properties inspected and tested by a person who is qualified and competent, at least every 5 years. Landlords have to provide a copy of the electrical safety report to their tenants, and to their local authority if requested.

 

P.A.T Testing

Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) is the process of checking electrical appliances for safety through a series of visual inspections and electronic tests and anything that has an electrical plug and can be moved should be tested. The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994, states that all electrical appliances connected to the mains supplied within rental accommodation must be safe.

 

EPC (Energy Performance Certificate)

An EPC gives a property an energy efficiency rating from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) and is valid for 10 years. An EPC is required by law and so we have a legal obligation to provide a copy of the EPC to any prospective tenant, as part of the marketing of the property and within our tenancy packs. As from the 1st April 2018 the requirement for any properties rented out in the private rented sector must have a minimum energy performance rating of ‘E’

 

Smoke Alarms & Carbon Monoxide Alarms

New Legislation came into force on 01st October 2015 for Private Landlords in England regarding smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
- Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are life saving devices.
- Smoke alarms must be installed to each storey of the property.
- Carbon monoxide (co) alarms must be installed in every room with a solid wood burning appliance.
- Alarms must be tested and working at the start of each tenancy

 

Legionella Testing

In order to comply with the Health and Safety Executive’s Code of Practice, landlords are strongly advised to carry out a risk assessment on their rental property prior to letting, especially if there are open water tanks, cooling systems or a swimming pool. We request that a copy of any written risk assessment is provided upon instruction.

 

Fire & Furnishings Regulations

The furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988 set levels of the fire resistance of domestic upholstered furniture furnishings and other products containing upholstery. Display labelling is required to indicate the ignition resistance of each item of furniture and needs to be attached to all new furniture at the point of sale.