In respect of safety, our Property Management team ensure that all current legislation is complied with, and will fully advise you on the requirements. For landlords, we have negotiated favourable rates for safety testing from reputable local companies and we will be happy to undertake the organisation of the inspections on your behalf. The relevant legislation is summarised within the pages in this section.

For more information on safety requirements for your property, either landlords or tenants, please contact any of our Property Management team who will be delighted to assist you.

Electrical Safety

Electrical Safety, Rental Property and The Law

Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 were passed by Parliament in March 2020.

The regulations apply in England to all new tenancies from 1 July 2020 and all existing tenancies from 1 April 2021.

Private landlords must ensure:

  • Electrical safety standards are met when the property is ocupied during a tenancy.
  • Every fixed electrical installation at the property is inspected and tested at least every five years by a qualified person.
  • The first inspection and testing is carried out before new tenancies commence on or after 1 July 2020 and by 1 April 2021 for existing tenancies.

The inspection and testing of the installation must be carried out in accordance with the eighteenth edition of the wiring reguations BS 7671:2018 (the national standard to which all domestic wiring must conform). The electrician who carries out the test must be qualified to do so.

NB. Where the most recent report requires an inspection and testing to be at intervals of less than five years, it must be at intervals specified in the report.

FOLLOWING THE TESTING AND INSPECTION A LANDLORD MUST:

1. Obtain a report that includes the results of the inspection and test and the date of the next inspection and test.

2. Supply a copy of the report to each existing tenant at the property within 28 calendar days of the inspection and test.

3. Supply a copy of the most recent report to any new tenant before the tenant moves in and to any prospective tenant within 28 days of receiving a request in writing for the report.

4. Retain a copy of the report until the next inspection and the test is due as well as suply a copy to the person carrying out the next inspection and test.

NB. When requested, the report must be provided to the local authority within seven calendar days.

WHEN FURTHER WORK IS REQUIRED

Where a report requires that extra/remedial work be carried out at a property, then the landlord must ensure that the said work is carried out at the property by a qulaified person within 28 calendar days or within the period specified in the report, if sooner.

Landlords must then:

1. Obtain written confirmation from the qualified person that the work has been carried out and that it meets the required electrical safety standards.

2. Supply written confirmation together with a copy of the report outlining the remedial work done to each existing tenant within 28 dys of the work being completed.

Little London Estates monitor all of our managed properties to ensure that the correct certification is up to date for each property.

As a landlord, it is also of paramount importance that:

  • all electrical equipment supplied must be safe. This will require that the electrical appliances, including their leads (frayed or worn leads are dangerous), are checked by a competent and suitably qualified engineer. Unsafe items should be removed.
  • all electrical equipment that is manufactured after the 1st January 1997 must be marked with the appropriate CE symbol.
  • all electrical appliances supplied by you are supplied with a correctly fused plug fitted to them. It is illegal to do otherwise.
  • the manufacturer’s instruction booklet be provided wherever possible for each appliance that is supplied. This will help to ensure that the tenant uses the equipment safely.
  • all electrical appliances are tested prior to the initial letting of a property and annually thereafter. If an individual appliance is used particularly frequently or in a harsh environment (e.g. wet conditions), then more frequent testing may be required.

For more information, see Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020: legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/312/introduction/made

Gas Safety

The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998

It is a criminal offence to let a property with gas appliances, installation and pipe-work that have not been checked by a GAS SAFE registered engineer. The certificate issued lasts for twelve months and must be renewed annually whilst the property remains let.

Our property management team ensure that all current legislation is complied with and fully advise landlords of the requirements. We retain the services of reputable local companies and are happy to undertake the organisation of the inspections on behalf of our landlords.

If a landlord chooses to use their own contractor we require proof of their GAS SAFE registration.

Gas Safety Certificates are held on file and a copy is provided to the tenants prior to occupation.

Properties with Oil or Solid Fuel heating must be regularly serviced to ensure their safety.

Further information regarding Gas Safety may be found at www.hse.gov.uk/gas/.

Fire Safety

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

All upholstery and upholstered furnishings supplied as part of a tenancy must comply with current fire resistance standards. It is a criminal offence, punishable by a fine and/or a prison term, to let premises with furniture or soft furnishings which cannot be proven to comply with the above fire safety regulations. The regulations apply to the following which must be match resistant, cigarette resistant and carry a permanent label:

  • All upholstered furniture
  • Three piece suites
  • Beds and divans including the upholstered bases
  • Padded headboards
  • Sofa-beds
  • Furniture with loose or fitted covers
  • Children's furniture
  • Cots and other items used by a baby or small child
  • Cushions
  • High Chairs
  • Mattresses of any size
  • Pillows
  • Garden Furniture which may be used indoors

Items such as carpets and curtains are not included. Any furniture manufactured prior to 1950 will be exempt, provided that they have not been re-upholstered with an illegal filling. All furnishings must carry the appropriate permanent labels to show that they comply. Any furnishings that do not comply with the regulations must be removed prior to the start of the tenancy.

Smoke Detectors & Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Properties built after June 1992 must have mains interlinked smoke detectors on each floor.

It is a legal requirement that any let property must have a working smoke detector on each habitable level of the property as a minimum requirement.

It is also a legal requirement that a working Carbon Monoxide alarm is situated in any room where there is a solid fuel burning appliance. This could be an open fireplace, or wood-burning (or other solid-fuel) stove etc. In addition, whilst not strictly a legal requirement, we strongly recommend that a working Carbon Monoxide alarm is situated close to any central heating or hot water boiler.