The Landlord Health and Safety Obligations You Need to Know

Following a recent case in which a Cardiff landlord was fined, it makes sense to look at the landlord health and obligations that come with renting out a property. Whether you are a landlord or you run a letting agency, there are certain tasks that it is essential you carry out in order to fulfil your duty to provide a safe space in which your tenants can live.

The Cardiff landlord, Sohail Baig, earned a fine of £25,000 from magistrates in the city after 18 offences came to light. Tenants complained to the council about issues including a defective fire alarm system, insecure or missing handrails, unsafe guardings on landings, defective floor coverings, an insecure toilet and an insecure entrance door.

This article explains necessary steps to better health and safety for landlords.

Landlord Health and Safety

The rules in England and Scotland are slightly different, but the basic principle is the same – landlords should supply a property that is habitable and safe. Here are some of the key landlord health and safety obligations

Gas Safety

The landlord should make sure a Gas Safe engineer carries out an annual gas safety check within 12 months of installing a new appliance or flue. You must then get it checked every year, keeping a record of the safety check for two years and issuing a copy to each existing tenant within 28 days of the check. You should also provide a copy for new tenants before they move in.

Electrical Safety

Landlords should get electrical installations inspected and tested by a qualified and competent person at least every five years. You should also provide a copy of the electrical safety report to your current tenants as well as to new tenants and to the local authority if they request it. This article on electrical checks explains more about the tests and recordkeeping.

Fire Safety

Another aspect of landlord health and safety obligation is fire safety. All properties need at least one smoke alarm on each storey of the property. You must test these at least twice a year to ensure they are working properly.

Depending on the type of let, you might also need to supply fire extinguishers, fire doors and fire blankets. This article explains which types of rental property require certain fire prevention measures.

You should undertake a risk assessment to make sure that your rental property is as safe as possible, with adequate escape routes for residents. If it is deemed to be an ‘unsafe layout’, the council could brand it unfit for human habitation.

In addition, you need to make sure that any furniture you supply meets the current fire regulations.

Doors and Windows

Tenants must be secure inside the home, meaning the landlord must ensure the property is secure, with the required locks for doors and windows. Those windows must be in good working order, closing properly.

There is also a minimum standard to install window restrictors and all window openings that are 1.4m or higher above ground level. The new regulations apply to landlords of residential houses, including flats and maisonettes.

Mould

In a recent post, we discussed the landlord health and safety obligation for keeping properties well ventilated in order to battle against mould.

The landlord is in charge of preventing mould by maintaining the structural elements of the property. This includes leaking gutters and pipeworks, rotten window frames, broken heating systems and other such issues.

Maintenance

The landlord must maintain the property to ensure it is in a good state of repair. If the infrastructure or fittings of the property fall into disrepair, this could be a safety issue for tenants.

Maintenance is hugely important for the smooth running of a rental property and that is why it forms a major part of our outsourced property management service. We look after your tenants and properties, making sure all is well and any issues are attended to in good time and professionally. To benefit from this service and more, call us today to talk about your requirements. The number is 0208 5757630.