SAFETY REGULATIONS

Fire Safety

• Under the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire & Safety) Regulations 1988, it is an offence to let a property containing furniture and furnishings that do not comply with current safety regulations. If your property is not compliant you could receive up to six months imprisonment and/or a fine of up to £5,000.
  
  
• Only furniture manufactured before 1950 is exempt from current fire regulations. Items currently covered by fire regulations include:
  
  
• Beds, headboards and mattresses
• Sofa-beds, futons etc
• Nursery furniture
• Garden furniture (if used indoors)
• All cushions and seat covers/pads
• Pillows

• Sleeping bags
  
• Bed linen (including duvets)
  
• Mattress covers
  
• Pillow covers
  
• Curtains
  
• Carpets
  
• Furniture made before 1950
  
• All new furniture will be labeled informing you of their compliance with current fire regulations. This should include all furniture made after 1990.

Gas Safety
The Gas Safety Regulations (1988) place a duty on landlords to maintain all appliances in their property. This must take the form of annual inspections carried out by a registered CORGI engineer. As with fire regulations, noncompliance with gas safety regulations is a criminal offence, which could result in a fine and/or custodial sentence. All gas checks must be completed prior to the commencement of the tenancy.

Electrical Equipment
The Electrical Equipment Safety Regulations (1984) apply to all electrical appliances between 50-100 volts a/c. Ideally you should have a full electrical inspection carried out prior to the commencement of any tenancy. A NICEIC registered engineer should carry out PAT testing of appliances annually.

Water Supply
If the tenant(s) is responsible for paying water rates they have a statutory right to have a water meter installed. If water rates are included in the rent this right does not apply may keep maintenance and repair costs to a minimum.