| The responsibilities of a Rental Landlord: | | | | have all fuses, electrical equipment and electrical |
| You have to keep the building you are renting, in | | | | wiring checked. |
| a well maintained condition, and, you must also | | | | Each year it is a statutory requirement to have |
| ensure that your property is safe for tenants to | | | | an Annual Electrical Safety Certificate issued by a |
| live in. | | | | fully qualified Electrician. This check ensures all |
| Failure to fulfill your responsibilities | | | | appliances and wirings and fuses are safe to use |
| Poorly maintained rental property will always have | | | | and not a danger to the tenants and not a fire |
| a greater risk of a variety of accidents occurring. | | | | hazard. |
| What you have to be aware of here, is the fact | | | | Smoke Detectors: Smoke detectors and smoke |
| that should your building be the cause of an injury | | | | alarms are covered under the following legislation |
| to the tenant, or a members of the public, you | | | | "The Building Regulations1991-Smoke Alarms". It is |
| could be liable for a claim to be made against you! | | | | highly recommended that, at the very least, |
| The Effect | | | | smoke alarms are located in "areas at most risk" |
| A poorly maintained building will become an | | | | throughout the property. |
| increasing liability and will be a bigger drain on your | | | | These smoke detectors can either be battery |
| resources. | | | | operated, or mains operated. Please note that |
| It will also not attract the best tenants, and as a | | | | after 1992 (in the United Kingdom), it became |
| consequence, if you are housing problem tenants, | | | | mandatory for all properties to have mains |
| the problems you have will start to really build and | | | | operated smoke detectors fitted. |
| build. | | | | Energy Performance Certificates |
| To help you avoid the time consuming problems | | | | These certificates are also known as EPCs, and all |
| that may occur with a poorly maintained rental | | | | rental property must have this type of certificate |
| property, I have noted a number of areas for | | | | displayed in a prominent position in the rented |
| you to be at least aware of. | | | | property. |
| Building Fabric | | | | This certificate can only be obtained by a person |
| According to the Landlord and Tenant Act of | | | | who has the required qualification to carry out |
| 1985, you have to maintain your rented property | | | | such work. |
| and keep it in an acceptable condition on the inside | | | | Finally |
| and on the outside. | | | | The above list of requirements may seem |
| Furniture | | | | onerous, but it gives both you, and the tenant |
| "The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety | | | | "peace of mind" and ensures that you have a |
| Amendment) Regulations 1993" covers the | | | | property that is safe to rent out. |
| necessity to ensure that if your property has | | | | Failure to comply with the above legislative |
| faulty or unsafe furniture and fittings, this could | | | | requirements is merely a cost cutting exercise, |
| result in serious injury to your tenant or a guest. | | | | and the consequences of not having complied will |
| It could even result in death! | | | | make you liable for what could be very expensive |
| Therefore, always check your furniture is fire | | | | damages claims. |
| resistant with an appropriate "Fire Triangle" labels, | | | | The costs of being compliant far outweighs the |
| and always ensure your furniture is safe to use. | | | | costs of not being compliant. |
| Gas Appliances: The Gas Safety (Installation and | | | | Everyone has so much to do these days, and |
| Use) Regulations 1998 covers the latest | | | | you may find that you cannot devote sufficient |
| requirements for all gas appliances in a rental | | | | time to your rental property portfolio. If this is |
| property. | | | | the case, there are many rental companies able |
| An annual Gas safety check is a regulatory | | | | to look after your property for you and ensure |
| requirement for all rental properties in your rental | | | | that all the legislative requirements are looked |
| portfiolio, and ensures that gas appliances are | | | | after on your behalf. |
| working in a safe and satisfactory manner. | | | | Yes, they do charge a fee for their work, but the |
| In the UK, all gas safety checks must be carried | | | | fee they charge will buy you peace of mind as |
| out by qualified Gas Engineers. | | | | you will know that your property is fully compliant |
| Electrical safety: The Electrical Equipment (Safety) | | | | and easier to rent out. |
| Regulations 1994 covers your requirement to | | | | |