2. Routine maintenance
• There are several routine checks that landlords are either obliged or
recommended to do to ensure safety of premises
• Routine maintenance will reduce emergency incidents
• Communicate to tenants moving in that they can expect these checks to
be done and that you will be requesting access at a mutually convenient
time
3. Gas safety certificate
• As previously discussed, landlords must maintain all gas appliances
(and flues serving them)
• Annual gas safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer is a legal
requirement
• Consider completing a service of gas appliances at the same time
4. Service contracts
• Several providers; often supplied by utility companies
• Monthly fee
• Different tiered service levels; standard usually includes annual gas
safety certificate, boiler service and any maintenance
• Can also extend to cover full plumbing system and electrical checks
5. Electrical condition reports
• Now mandatory for all PRS although a consultation process underway –
Housing and Planning Act 2016
• Recommended to have full check minimum every 5 years
• Visual checks to be completed on each changeover of tenant (can be
completed by landlord or agent)
• Landlords should also consider carrying out Portable Appliance Testing
(PAT testing) where appliances are provided by the landlord
6. Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide
England only
• Applies from 1st October 2015
• Requirement to provide smoke alarm on every habitable floor of property
• Must be tested at start of tenancy (battery operated acceptable) and record
of check recorded
• Recommended to test at each property inspection, get tenants to sign
inspection form to confirm they’ve been checked
• Carbon monoxide reader in ‘high risk’ rooms such as those with solid fuel
systems
• Civil penalty for non-compliance
7. Legionnaires disease
• High risk in warmer temperatures, particularly where there is standing
water
• Landlords must carry out risk assessments and take precautionary
actions
• Flush out all water outlets for 3+ minutes and disinfect with particular
care to shower heads
• Ensure hot water reaches 60+ degrees to kill bacteria
• Standing water tanks should be cleared from debris and adequately
covered
8. Other routine maintenance
Landlords should consider carrying out other regular maintenance in order to
prevent dilapidations such as:
• Regular redecorating both internally and externally (standard every 3-5
years depending on condition)
• Replacing carpets to prevent threading and trip hazards (standard every 3-5
years depending on condition)
• Cleaning of gutters and checking for slipped roof tiles (standard every year)
• Whilst tenants may be responsible for general upkeep of gardens, landlords
will be expected to maintain fences and borders and keep large trees under
control where needed
