Safety in the home

1. Safety in the home

2. How to ensure safety in the home
• HHRS (discussed previously) is the primary legislation relating to health
and safety but there are other obligations
• Landlords/agents should carry out regular inspections (be guided by
insurance provider requirements)
• Landlords/agents should devise or adopt a risk assessment check list
• Keep all records or communication and as a basic requirement keep a
diary of actions

3. Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide
• From 1st October 2015 new obligation on landlords
• Requirement to provide smoke alarm on every habitable floor of
property
• Must be tested at start of the tenancy (battery operated acceptable)
• Carbon monoxide reader in ‘high risk’ rooms such as those with solid
fuel systems
• Civil penalty for non-compliance

4. Gas safety
• Landlords must maintain all gas appliances (and flues serving them)
• Annual safety check by Gas Safe registered engineer
• Certificate to be given to new tenants before they move in
• Certificate to be given to existing tenants within 28 days
• Failure to comply is a criminal offence

5. Electrical safety
• Currently no regulations except in HMOs
• Housing and Planning Act 2016 gave powers to
produce regulations for all PRS
• Enactment impending to implement 5 yearly
electrical condition reports to all PRS with visual
checks on change over of tenant

6. Smoking
• Premises that are ‘open to the public’ are required to be smoke free
• For tenants that rent a room only, smoking will only be permitted in their
individual room
• Landlord must put up no smoking signs in communal areas