Lettings
It will come as no surprise that landlords are responsible for the safety of their tenants!
A guide to Landlord responsibilities
However, it is not always understood that landlords who use agents to manage their properties need to ensure that the management contract clearly specifies who is responsible for carrying out the maintenance and safety check duties, and keeping associated records. If the contract specifies that the agent has responsibility then the same duties under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 that apply to a landlord, apply to the agent.
Whilst gas safety tests are well documented as being a mandatory requirement, the regulations relating to portable appliance testing and fixed wiring inspections (electrical testing), are not as specific.
The regulations relating electrical testing are clear in as much that they state that the environment provided for the use of the tenant must be documented as being safe. For a repairs guide to landlord and tenants Click here.
Health and Safety in Rented Accommodation
There have been many discussions relating to the legal requirements of electrical testing in rented accommodation, which have led landlords and agents to believe that these are not actually required by law. The hard facts are that there is no compulsion to have these tests completed, however, when asked to produce the legal documentation to prove that an environment is safe, many landlords and agents have fallen foul of the fact that they are unable to provide the required documentation, to prove this fact. This has led to a number prosecutions in which landlords and agents have been fined for non-compliance with health and safety laws.
The Power Service provides an advisory service, which helps our landlords, and agents understand the complexities of the laws and regulations and ensures that that they comply with the ever growing mountain of health and safety laws for rented accommodation in a way which suits their schedules and budgets.
Please call for more information or use the contact us facility on this website and we will contact you at your convenience.
Click here for more information on health and safety in privately rented accomodation.
