The Regulations
The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1994
This requires a Landlord to ensure that all gas fittings and flues are maintained in good order, and requires gas appliances and flues to be checked for safety by a GAS SAFE registered engineer (the Landlords Gas Safety Certificate). This must be carried out before a tenant takes occupation, and thereafter yearly. A copy of the certificate should be kept at the property at all times and a copy should also be provided to us for our records. Ashley Charles can arrange for the gas safety inspection to be carried out by a Corgi registered plumber.
The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994
This regulation requires that all electrical appliances, equipment and supply must be safe. Where their safe use requires, appropriate instruction booklets must also be provided. Plugs and sockets that are newly installed must conform to the appropriate British Standard or approved alternative.
Unlike the gas safety, there is currently no statutory annual testing interval. Yet, in order to meet the requirements, it is still important that all electrical equipment be tested regularly.
The Furniture & Furnishings (Fire)(Safety) Regulations 1988 & subsequent amendments
From March 1993, Landlords letting residential property must make sure that all upholstered furniture complies with the Fire and Furnishings (Fire)(Safety) Regulations 1988. Generally, these cover the need for fire-resistant filling material to upholstered articles and the passing of a match-resistant and cigarette-resistant test. Failure to do so could result in up to 6 months imprisonment and/or fines up to £5,000.00.
The correct method of displaying compliance is to check that a permanent label is present on all items of furniture. The regulations apply to:
- Three piece suites, armchairs & sofas
- Beds, headboards, mattresses, divans & bed bases
- Sofa beds, futons & other convertible furniture
- Nursery & children's furniture
- Loose, stretch & fitted covers for furniture
- Pillows, scatter cushions & seat pads
- Garden furniture suitable for use in a dwelling
Any items not labelled may not conform to the regulation and will have to be removed from the property. It should be noted that any furniture manufactured prior to 1st January 1950 is exempt from the regulations.
Smoke Detectors Act 1991
Any new homes built after 1992 are required to have smoke detectors installed. Whilst not yet a legal requirement for pre-1992 properties, we feel this legislation will soon follow and we would strongly recommend Landlords install at least two smoke detectors.
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