HEALTH & SAFETY
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GAS SAFETY | CARBON MONOXIDE | ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT | ELECTRICAL SAFETY | BUILDING REGULATIONS | THE FURNITURE & FURNISHING | SMOKE DETECTORS
GAS SAFETY (Installation and Use) REGULATIONS 1998
These Regulations were introduced under the jurisdiction of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974. Landlords are required by law to ensure that all gas appliances and associated pipe work are maintained in a safe condition and inspected annually by a CORGI (Council for Registered Gas Installers) registered engineer.
A record of these safety checks must be issued to the tenant within 28 days of each annual check. As a landlord you will also be required to supply a tenant with instructions for all gas appliances provided.
Carbon monoxide is colourless and odourless gas, and the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can be confused with those of other illnesses. There have been instances of illness, injury and death caused by the use of neglected gas installations, particularly gas fires, back boilers and water heaters.
These Regulations make the supply of ‘unsafe’ electrical equipment an offence. The importance of electrical safety cannot be overstated given the potential risks of fire or electrocution. It is, therefore, essential that property is checked at regular intervals to ensure that the installation and all goods supplied are in a safe condition. A record detailing who and when the tests were carried out should be maintained and a copy supplied to the tenant. It is strongly advisable to have the equipment checked before the start of each let. It would be good practice to have the equipment checked at regular intervals thereafter.
Under this Act, the landlord is responsible for providing safe permanent electrical installation. Although there is no statutory obligation requiring the landlord to obtain a safety certificate for the permanent electrical installation it is the only method available to guarantee that the installation is in safe working order and that it meets all current legislation. Hence it is considered best practice to have a qualified electrician check the permanent electrical installation regularly.
From the 1st January 2005, all domestic electric installation work (particularly in kitchens and bathrooms) must be carried out by government approved contractors. All contractors must be able to demonstrate that they comply with British Standard Safety Requirements (BS7671). Failure to comply with these Regulations is a criminal offence and could result in fines of up to £5000 and / or imprisonment.
It is your choice whether you provide furnished or unfurnished accommodation. As of 1st January 1997 all furniture supplied must comply with the Furniture and Furnishings Fire Safety Regulations 1988. Failure to comply with these Regulations is a criminal offence and could result in fines of up to £5000 and / or imprisonment. The Regulations apply to any furniture that is upholstered, including:
- Beds, headboards of beds and mattresses.
- Three piece suites, arm chairs and sofas.
- Sofa beds, futons and other convertibles.
- Nursery and children's furniture.
Loose, stretch and fitted covers for furniture.
- Garden furniture, which is suitable for use within the dwelling.
- Scatter cushions and seat pads.
- Pillows.
- Extra or replacement furniture purchased for rented accommodation.
The Regulations do not apply to:
- Antique furniture or furniture made before 1950.
- Bedclothes (including duvets).
- Loose covers for mattresses.
- Pillowcases.
- Curtains.
- Carpets.
- Sleeping bags.
Under these Regulations, upholstered furniture:
- Must have fire resistant filling
- Must have passed a ‘match resistance’ test
- Should, as a whole, be able to pass the ‘cigarette resistance’ test
- New furniture must also be labelled with specified information.
The Building Regulations 1991 require that all properties built since June 1992 must have mains-operated interlinked smoke alarms fitted on every floor. If your property was constructed prior to this date then it is strongly recommended that under your ‘duty of care’ that you should supply battery operated smoke detectors in all circulation spaces.