News

Check out updates

page-head-image

Safety Regulations For Landlords, And Why They Are Important

As a landlord there are a number of legal requirements and safety regulations that you must adhere to before you can rent out your property. In fact the amount of responsibility and paperwork that comes with being a landlord can seem overwhelming.

However, it’s important to know, safety regulations aren’t just a hoop to jump through or a piece of paper to sign off. They are in place to protect both you and your tenants.

Here’s a look at some of the key safety regulations your property will need to comply with, and why they are important.

Gas Safety

An annual inspection of all gas appliances such as your boiler are compulsory and must be carried out by a registered Gas Safe engineer. Both the landlord and tenant must have a written record of each gas appliance check.

A yearly service will ensure your boiler, other gas appliances, pipes and flues are running as efficiently as possible and are safe to use. Poorly maintained or faulty gas appliances are dangerous and increase the risk of gas leaks and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Electrical Safety

A safety check must be carried out before a tenancy begins, to ensure that the electrical system including light fittings and sockets, and electrical appliances supplied by the landlord are safe.

Although it’s not obligatory, a periodic Portable Appliance Test (PAT) is highly recommended to ensure appliances such as kettles, microwaves and lamps are working correctly and safely.

Faulty appliances can cause electrical fires and injuries such as electric shocks and burns.

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

As a landlord you are legally required to install a smoke alarm on each storey of the property and a carbon monoxide alarm in any rooms that have solid fuel burning appliances. Additionally, if your property is registered as HMO, you must also supply fire alarms and fire extinguishers.

It’s the landlord’s responsibility to check that alarms are working properly on the first day of a new tenancy. From then on the tenant is responsible for checking the alarms during their tenancy. If an alarm is not working it can then be reported as a maintenance issue to be dealt with as soon as possible.

Furnished Property Regulations

If you are renting out a furnished property, all furnishings provided by you such as beds, sofas and chairs must be fire safe and comply with Furniture and Furnishing Regulations. All soft furnishings including cushions, pillows and mattresses supplied by the landlord must have a ‘Carelessness Causes Fire’ safety label attached.

If you want your tenants to be safe and happy in their home, as a responsible landlord you should also consider factors such as damp and mould problems or wear and tear damage that could cause injuries.

Health and safety is a top priority at Pisoria. We offer a full property management service covering all paperwork, safety checks, maintenance and repairs to give you the peace of mind that you’re compliant with landlord safety regulations and legislations.

For more information and advice on renting out your London property, contact us today.