These are the requirements for gas and electrical safety as dictated by the law. There is little room for interpretation and getting it wrong has potentially dire consequences for both tenants and landlords as it involves the enforcement of the law.
Gas safety checks
Annual Gas Safety Certificates must be carried out for every property that has gas appliances. The appliances include the boiler and cooker, and, of course, any other gas fittings. A Gas Safety Record must be issued to tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety Certificate. New tenants must be issued a Gas Safety Record prior to moving in. The landlord must maintain a record of the Gas Safety Record for two years at a minimum along with a system that reminds everyone of when the Gas Safety Certificates fall due to ensure they are not forgotten.
Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
There are other safety requirements like routine gas and electrical safety checks, but the law requires landlords to install a smoke alarm on each separate storey where tenants occupy the premises. There must also be a carbon monoxide alarm installed in a room with solid fuel burning appliances. In addition, carbon monoxide alarms must be installed nearby other combustible appliances. Alarms must be checked by the landlord prior to the tenancy commencing, and tenants must be told that they are required to report any problems with the alarm.
Electrical Installation Condition Reports
Landlords were previously not required to have electrical installations tested and inspected by qualified professionals until 2020. After that, it has become obligatory to do so at least every five years. A copy of the test must be submitted to the tenant and to the local authority upon request. Any necessary remedial work must be done within 28 days, but if the report considers any work as urgent, it should be done as soon as possible. It is good, yet voluntary, practice to have other portable appliances such as washing machines or kettles checked as well.
- Annual gas safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer
- Gas Safety Record issued to tenants within 28 days
- EICR carried out at least every five years
- Remedial electrical works completed within 28 days of being flagged
- Records kept for at least the minimum legal retention period
What happens if you get it wrong
It can not be understated how important these checks are, and how not doing these checks is much more than just being forgetful. Failure to carry out these checks can results in Landlords receiving a penalty charge notice from the Local Authority, and in some cases, can prevent Serving a valid Section 21 Notice for gas safety reasons. Beyond the legal issues that can arise, leaving electrical and gas installations that are unsafe can cause serious risks to Tenants. Tenants should also be reminded at the start of the tenancy not to switch off safety devices or remove parts they shouldn’t. Reminding Tenants of these things will help maintain safety devices and fittings intact for the duration of the tenancy agreement instead of it only being reminded at the end of the agreement or when it is inspected.
Choosing the right contractors matters too
Not all of the engineers who claim to meet the qualifications register in accordance with the relevant laws, and using an unregistered contractor for gas work means the safety check is void, regardless of the actual competence of the contractor. Always check Gas Safe Registration and do not trust business cards. For electrical work, ensure the contractor is registered with an accredited competent person scheme. Cost saving by choosing a contractor is a risk not worth taking.
Building good habits into your management routine
The landlords who seldom have issues are the landlords who put these checks on a calendar. Remembering due dates is a hard task. Our team can walk you through the systems we use to help landlords meet safety obligations on an ongoing basis.