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Electrical Safety Regulations
The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 require any person supplying electrical equipment to ensure that it is safe.
Examples include:
- Cookers
- Kettles
- Toasters
- Washing machines
- Immersion heaters
Hudson Moody recommends that electrical appliances are inspected on an annual basis and a certificate kept on file. Fixed wiring should be checked every 10 years.
There are criminal penalties for landlords who do not comply. The maximum penalty for non-compliance is a fine of £5000 and/or imprisonment.
Gas Safety Regulations
It is important that all Landlords are aware of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1994.
- Only CORGI (Council for Registered Gas Installers) registered engineers are allowed to carry out work to any gas appliance or fitting.
- All Gas appliances must be checked annually by a CORGI registered engineer and a certificate issued.
- Tenants must receive a copy of the Landlords Gas Safety Certificate at the commencement of the Tenancy and within 28 days of renewal.
- Gas appliances with open flues must not be installed in a bedroom, bathroom or shower room, or any other room used for sleeping.
- Instructions should be provided to the Tenant for any installed gas appliance and a key available where the gas meter is installed in a lockable meter box.
- Specific safety checks and tests must be carried out after any work has been carried out.
There are criminal penalties for landlords that do not comply. The maximum penalty for non-compliance is a fine of £5000 and/or imprisonment.
Furniture and Furnishings Regulations
With effect from 1st March 1993 all landlords of residential property must comply with the Furniture and Furnishing (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (as amended in 1993). This requires that upholstered furniture made after 1950 must be fire resistant and have passed an ignitability test.
This regulation applies to:
- Sofas.
- Beds including mattresses and headboards.
- Sofa beds and futons.
- Scatter cushions & seat pads (eg on dining chairs).
- Pillows.
- Loose covers for furniture.
- Garden furniture suitable for use in a dwelling.
It does not apply to:
- Furniture made before 1950 as materials used before this date are not considered hazardous.
- Bed clothes including duvets.
- Loose covers for mattresses.
- Pillow cases.
- Curtains.
- Carpets.
There are criminal penalties for landlords who do not comply. The maximum penalty for non-compliance is a fine of £5000 and/or imprisonment.
