Certificates required
Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998
Landlords have a duty to ensure:
- Gas fittings (appliances, pipe work) and flues are maintained in a safe condition
- All installation, maintenance and safety checks are carried out by a GAS-SAFE Registered Installer
- An annual safety check is carried out on each gas appliance/flue by a GAS-SAFE Registered Installer
- Checks need to have taken place within one year of the start of the tenancy, unless the appliances have been installed for less than 12 months, in which case they should be checked within 12 months of their installation date
- A record of each safety check is kept for two years
- A copy of the current Landlord's GAS-SAFE Gas Safety Record, is issued to each existing tenant within 28 days of the check being completed, or to any new tenant before they move in.
Energy Performance Certificate
All homes being let on a new tenancy require to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). This broadly similar to the labels now provided with domestic appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines.
Its purpose is to record how energy efficient a property is as a building. The certificate will provide a rating of the energy efficiency and carbon emissions of a building from A to G, where A is very efficient and G is very inefficient.
Electrical Safety
Landlords must ensure all electrical equipment and installations are safe and in proper working order.
It is recommended that landlords should have a Periodic Inspection Report (PIR) carried out every three years on their property.
It is also recommended to have Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) carried out annually on all electrical appliances.
Furniture and Furnishings
It is a legal obligation that any and furniture and furnishings supplied meet with the requirements of the Furniture & Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988.