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LANDLORDS RESPONSIBILITIES
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 the property is not compliant the landlord 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
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Items exempt from fire regulations include:
Sleeping bags
Bed linen (including duvets)
Mattress covers
Pillow covers
Curtains
Carpets
Furniture made before 1950
If you are renting a furnished property any new furniture will be labelled informing you of their compliance with current fire regulations. This should include all furniture made after 1990. |
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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, non-compliance 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. Properties should have a full electrical inspection carried out prior to the commencement of any tenancy.
Smoke Detectors The Smoke Detectors Act (1991) states that any building built after 1992 should be fitted with smoke detectors. These should be mains operated detectors and installed on each floor of the property.
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.
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Sunday, 7 September 2008
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