According to Government fire statistics, 36 percent of battery powered alarms fail to operate in a fire – almost half because the battery was missing or dead. Installing mains powered alarms, interconnected together so they can be heard throughout the property, negates this problem and allows landlords to meet their Duty of Care.
Whether you are a DIY or a reluctant/accidental landlord or even a portfolio investor it is your responsibility to ensure the property you are letting is safe and not putting the lives of your tenants and their visitors at risk.
A landlords responsibility for gas appliances is clear. Landlords have a statutory requirement for an annual inspection and certification of each appliance. There are statutory requirements for furnishings ‘Fire and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 and the Fire and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) (Amendment)Regulations 1993’. The management and testing of electrical appliances and mains electrical wiring is less clear for standard private rented dwellings having no statutory rules. For easy to read free advice about Health and Safety information in private rented accommodation click here.
Belvoir Lettings in Cambridge advise all their clients to carryout periodic tests to both portable electrical appliances and to the mains electrical wiring making improvements as advised by the engineer. Should an incident occur causing loss or injury to your tenant or their visitors you will be able to demonstrate to a court you acted professionally recognising you had a Duty of Care.
Properties occupied as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) have different and more stringent rules. Depending upon the occupancy level; the number of floors and the local regulations the property may require Licensing. When a property is occupied by 3 people or more (any age) forming more than 1 household it is an HMO.
Not knowing about the various regulations is no defence in court; it will be seen as negligence and depending upon your insurance may expose you to personal claims.
For more information about fire safety, electrical safety and HMO’s or if you have a general letting question contact Belvoir Lettings one of the leading letting agents in Cambridge managing close to 1000 properties. Terry Lucking of Belvoir Cambridge offers free advice and free property visits to all investors who are considering buying. To ask Terry a question send an email to terry.lucking@belvoirlettings.com
Belvoir Lettings Agents in Cambridge is the One Stop Specialists for Lettings including Property Management, Tenant Find, Investment and Wealth Management Advice, Fit-outs and Renovations, Furniture Packs and Investment Property Insurances and Mortgages.
