Landlords must make sure that the property they rent is fit for people to live in and meets legal requirements. If the property fails to meet these standards, the tenant can take action through the local authority or they could take civil action under the Defective Premises Act or Occupiers Liability Act. It is essential that the landlord follow the relevant health and safety legislation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you need to know about furniture and furnishings that you provide?
Why and who should test of repair your gas appliances, fittings and installations?
What about the safety of domestic electrical appliances?
What should you do if you suspect that a material contains asbestos?
What do you need to know about furniture and furnishings that you provide?
From 1 January 1997, all furniture in residential rented accommodation must meet the regulations and it is a criminal offence to supply furniture that does not meet them. The regulations apply to all upholstered furniture, including beds and mattresses, sofas, armchairs and pillows.
All upholstered furniture must carry the ‘carelessness causes fire’ label, which is generally found underneath the furniture and confirms that it meets the regulations.
Landlords must make sure that these labels are on all your upholstered furniture especially if you are buying second-hand furniture. A detailed booklet on these regulations is available from the Department of Trade and Industry, or contact the Trading Standards Officer on 0208 583 5555.
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Why and who should test of repair your gas appliances, fittings and installations?
Landlords have a duty to maintain all gas fittings, installation pipe work and any flue which serves appliances they own to prevent the risk of injury to anyone who lives in the property. By law, landlords must have all gas appliances in rented accommodation inspected every year and give a copy of the gas safety certificate to the tenant within 28 days of the inspection being carried out. A record of each safety check should be kept for two years.
Gas appliances must be fitted by British Gas or by a CORGI-registered fitter, and must be safe to use. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is responsible for enforcing these regulations for houses rented out by landlords, although we have enforcement powers for houses in multiple occupation. For more information, contact HSE Gas Safety Advice Line on 0800 300 363.
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What about the safety of domestic electrical appliances?
Under the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 these regulations, all electrical appliances and installations should be regularly inspected and kept in good repair.
Sockets should be in a suitable position to prevent the need for adaptors.
The wiring should be checked and certified regularly by an engineer who is
registered with NICEIC (National Institute of Electrical Engineering Contractors).
Electrical equipment should be properly wired with appropriate fuses and plugs.
Small portable cookers should not be used. (This does not include Baby Bellings.)
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What should you do if you suspect that a material contains asbestos?
Materials containing asbestos were once widely used in buildings. The danger of breathing in fibres of asbestos is now well known and asbestos is no longer used. There is no way of telling whether a material contains asbestos without investigating it. If you are concerned about asbestos, please contact the Health and Safety Team on 020 8583 5555 for advice.
Do not try to do any work that may disturb asbestos fibres without getting advice from a qualified or able person.
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Other Information
Housing Enforcement Action