Safety

Gas safety

Your landlord is responsible for ensuring that gas-powered appliances, such as the boiler and cooker, are safe to use. 

Gas appliances must be checked for safety every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Once the check has been completed, the landlord will receive a Gas Safety Certificate and provide you with a copy.

The law says that you must be provided with a copy of the existing Gas Safety Certificate before you move in.

Things to check:

  • The Gas Safety Certificate should be no more than 12 months old.
  • Any engineer that visits the property to work on gas appliances should have a Gas Safe ID card.
  • Visit the Gas safe register to check that the ID number of the engineer or business is valid

What if I have not seen a gas safety certificate?

  • Ask the landlord or letting agent for a copy of the current Gas Safety Certificate.
  • Contact the ULHS for advice.
  • Report the matter to the Health and Safety Executive or your local council.
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Electrical safety

As of 1st June 2020, The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 require landlords to ensure that legal standards for electrical installations are met. 

What does this mean?

This means that your landlord must keep electrical installations (such as wiring, sockets and fuse boxes) in the property safe and in working order. 

They must ensure that such installations are checked, at least every five years, by a properly qualified person and provide you with a copy of the most recent Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).

Do these rules apply to my contract?

If your tenancy begins on or after 1 July 2020, your landlord must carry out the checks before your tenancy starts. 

For tenancies which started before this date, your landlord will be required to carry out checks by 1 April 2021. After that date, checks must be carried out for all tenancies regardless of their start date.

What if my landlord does not comply?

If your landlord has not provided you with an EICR and you are concerned that they have not followed the rules, you can report them to your local council. If found in breach of their duties, they could be fined up to £30,000. 

Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors

Your landlord should provide:

  • One smoke detector on every floor of your property which is used as living accommodation, and
  • From 1 October 2022, one carbon monoxide detector in any room used as living accommodation containing a fixed combustion appliance other than a gas cooker.  

It is your responsibility as a tenant to test smoke alarms regularly and replace the batteries when they run out (but they should all be working when you move in!)

Under the new Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 which will commence from 1 October 2022, if you have reported to your landlord that the smoke and carbon monoxide are not in proper working order, your landlord has an obligation to repair or replace the alarms as soon as reasonably practicable.

If you have concerns about fire safety in your property, you should tell your landlord.

You can also ask the Fire and Rescue Service to visit your home and carry out a Home Fire Risk Assessment.

Stay safe

Many hazards can arise out of poor housing electrical safety and lack of care. Below are some tips to ensure that you and the property you are living in remain safe.

  • Check how the appliances provided in the property are set up when you first move in and ensure that sockets and extension leads have not been overloaded.
  • Check that all appliances provided by the landlord are in proper working order and not have signs of age or damage. Look out for cuts or abrasions to cables, loose parts or screws and any signs of burning or overheating.  
  • Report any electrical faults to your landlord as soon as possible and do not attempt to carry them out yourself. Your landlord should employ a registered electrician to carry out all necessary electrical work. 
  • Always switch off your electrical items when they are not in use. 
  • Do not store anything on top of your microwave as this could cause it to overheat.

Find out more
Visit Electrical Safety First to find out more about electrical safety. Download a ‘Visual Checks App’ to conduct a quick and easy electrical safety check of your property. 

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