Landlords are fully responsible for the wellbeing for the tenants hosted within their property, and as such, plenty of safety measures should be considered to ensure individuals are safe and comfortable. With all manner of potentially harmful appliances, accessories and utilities within the domestic space, laws are in place to protect tenants, therefore landlords are required to comply with their legal obligations. Continue reading and let the property management experts at Watsons take you through the most important tenant safety tips for landlords.
Smoke And Gas
Smoke fumes and unpredictable gases such as carbon monoxide can be harmful or even deadly if inhaled accidentally, so landlords should be cautious of these dangerous substances. Legislation dictates that gas detection equipment in rented properties needs to be installed, serviced and safety checked before occupancy by a tenant. Any equipment should then be checked annually by a Gas Safe registered plumber. Regulations established in 2015 also require landlords to have at least one smoke alarm installed on each floor of the premises.
Routine Maintenance
Routine maintenance of appliances and utilities will keep accidents to a minimum, with any affected machinery or equipment checked over and repaired by licensed and approved tradespeople. Faulty utilities pose a real threat to tenants, from leaking pipes to unpredictable washing and oven units which can become a fire hazard.
Consider Property Management Services
Balancing the management of multiple properties can prove to be extremely time consuming, with a number of responsibilities to consider for each building. If you’re struggling to oversee the condition of multiple premises, Watsons are glad to assist. Tailoring our services to match your needs, we can look after all day-to-day issues, and provide you with practical advice. Ensure you’re hosting tenants in a safe manner by letting our property specialists oversee matters.
Energy Performance
Especially pertinent considering the current crisis, ensure your tenants are living in comfortable conditions by assessing energy performance. All rental properties with a new tenancy are required to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) as a rule of thumb. The EPC rates the energy efficiency of a property and its environmental impact. Tenants are required to receive a copy of the report before entering into a Tenancy agreement.
Fire Safety
Fire safety is of course hugely important, with destructive blazes responsible for countless fatalities in The United Kingdom annually. From October 2006, a detailed fire risk assessment must be carried out to identify any risks or hazards in a rental property – and any such findings should be eliminated or reduced. Likewise, a landlord who is letting a property is responsible for ensuring that all furniture carries appropriate fire resistance labels.
Searching for ‘estate agents near me’? At Watsons, we’re experts in our field, so whether you are looking to buy, sell or rent, we can manage and maintain to your individual needs. Valuations, surveys, lease extensions, defect analysis and building consultancy services are just a taste of what we offer, so simply contact us today and find out how we can support you.
