Information

The Furniture and Furnishing (fire) (safety) Regulations 1988 As Amended

This includes soft furnishings such as mattresses, padded headboards, bed bases, sofas, armchairs, cushions etc. Exemptions: furniture manufactured prior to 1950 and after 1989.

Q. How will you know whether the furniture complies? A. There should be labels attached (The ones we all cut off!)
Q. What if there are no labels? A. You must provide proof of the date of purchase.

You cannot avoid the regulation by selling, giving, or leaving the furniture for tenants. This is considered as supplying. Non-compliance can mean that you will be found guilty of a criminal offence and face a fine, imprisonment or even both.

Gas Safety (installation and use) Regulations 1998

Any person letting their property must ensure that all gas appliances or installation pipe work in that property is maintained in a safe condition to prevent risk of injury. All such appliances and pipe work must be checked annually by a ‘gas safe’ registered contractor and a report obtained. The gas safety report must be retained for at least two years. The tenant must be given a copy of the report within 28 days of the inspection being carried out and in the case of a new tenancy; the tenant must be given a copy at the time they take up occupation. If found guilty of non-compliance, the landlord will have a criminal record, face a fine, imprisonment or even both. Should a tenant die as a result of non-compliance with the aforementioned Safety Regulations, the charge would be manslaughter.

It is important that you check the report when you receive it to ensure that all the gas appliances are listed and that they have passed as safe. Any recommended remedial works should be carried out before the start of the tenancy.

Electrical Equipment (safety) Regulations 1994

All appropriate electrical equipment supplied in a let property must comply. It is a mandatory requirement to undergo regular testing and a Landlord safety check must be undertaken prior to a tenant occupying a property. Any person supplying electrical equipment must ensure that it is safe, will not cause danger and satisfies the requirements of the regulations. These require electrical equipment to be safe and conducted with good engineering practice. You should have all electrics (wirings, plugs and sockets, etc) and all electrical appliances checked before the commencement of the tenancy and regularly thereafter.

Building Regulations (smoke alarm) 1991

It is mandatory to fit mains powered smoke alarms in new residential buildings – one to each floor. Whilst it is not a new requirement in older properties it is recommended to install smoke alarms in all instances.

E.U. Performance of Buildings Directive

An Energy Performance certificate is required for all rental properties by law. The certificate shows how energy efficient the building is and provides ratings A-G. They are produced using standard methods and assumptions about energy use and co2 emissions. The EPC is also accompanied by a report that lists cost effective recommendations to improve the energy rating. This report has to be available for prospective tenants when the property is first marketed and remains valid for 10 years. We will organise this on your behalf prior to your initial letting unless you provide us with a current certificate.