Safety Considerations

Inventories Inc has found that there are several areas regarding the safety responsibilities of Landlords and Tenants that are commonly misunderstood. To this end we would like to give the following guidance; it is by no means exhaustive or guaranteed as being complete, but we hope that it will be useful.

Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998

It is illegal to have a gas appliance in any tenanted premises if it is known or suspected to be unsafe. We advise that the landlord or his agent should ensure that an up-to-date gas safety record is provided as well as a certificate covering the requirements set out in the regulations. Please note that:

• Tenants must be provided with a new gas safety record within 28 days of the expiry of a certificate.
• These regulations cover the entire gas installation including cookers, heaters etc.
• You may only use CORGI-registered engineers to carry out work to satisfy these statutes.

The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994

This legislation requires landlords to supply electrical equipment that is safe and does not cause a danger. We advise landlords to arrange for these items to be tested at initial letting and at regular intervals thereafter, and at least every two years. Landlords should supply instruction booklets for the appliances.

Building Regulations 1991

This legislation requires landlords to have mains-powered smoke detectors fitted to any application submitted after 1st June 1992. We recommend that battery-operated smoke detectors are fitted on all floors of properties.

The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988

This regulation was amended in 1993 so that all upholstered furniture manufactured after 1950 and included in a tenancy agreement must conform to this legislation. It should be fire-proofed, and should have the appropriate labels to show that this is the case.