Gas and Electrical Safety
The law requires that all appliances are safe & strongly recommends that everything should be independently tested.

Duty of care demands that all electrical appliances are tested on a regular basis, particularly at the point at which the property becomes available to let.

The Electrical Equipment (safety) Regulations 1994 and The Plugs and Sockets Etc. (safety) Regulations 1994 state that supplying unsafe appliances is an offence. In the event of an accident involving electricity the Landlord must be able to demonstrate that the supply and appliances are safe. This can only be done if they have been independently tested.

The Gas Safety (installation & use) Regulations 1998 state that all let & managed properties must be tested annually for safety. Only Gas Safe registered businesses with Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) qualified engineers are authorised to carry out work on gas appliances and piping.

We recommend only fully qualified contractors to carryout electrical and gas safety checks, and we are happy to handle this on your behalf.

We recommend battery operated smoke alarms are installed, once installed responsibility for replacement batteries passes to the tenant.

Failure to comply with regulations can result in large fines, and in extreme cases, imprisonment.

Energy Performance Certificates
Since October 2008 all private residential property available for let is required to hold an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). An EPC is a legal requirement for new lets, and it valid for 10 years. All tenants must be provided with a copy of the EPC at the start of the tenancy.

Legionella Risk Assessment
Legionella is a potentially fatal illness which can be caught be inhaling bacteria generated by hot & cold water heating systems, including storage tanks which are not functioning properly or have been stagnant for some time.

The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health 1999 have recently changed and the control of Legionella bacteria in Water Systems Approved Code of Practice (ACOP L8) now applies to domestic living. It is recommended that all Landlords of residential properties have a Legionella Risk Assessment every two years to comply with the law, and again, this is something we are happy to handle on your behalf.

Landlord Insurance Services
We are happy to obtain a suitable quotation for all Landlords Insurance Services, including Residential Landlords Buildings Insurance & full Rent Guarantee Insurance. Please contact us if this is something you would like more information on.