Health And Safety

There are the following health and safety terms and conditions relating to residential tenancies:

• Electrical Safety
• Gas Safety
• Fire Safety

Electrical Safety:

The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 state that the supply of electrical equipment must be safe, ensuring that there is no risk of either injury or death to humans and/or pets, or risk of damage to property.

The Regulations cover all mains voltage household electrical goods, including cookers, kettles, toasters, heaters, washing machines, dishwashers, etc, but do not include any fixed electrical wiring or built-in appliances such as central heating.

It is important when dealing with electrical safety in the property that Landlords adhere to the following guidelines:

• All electrical appliances in the property should be checked for defects and any unsafe appliances removed.
• Appliances should be checked by a qualified electrical engineer.
• All checks should be recorded and the information kept for future reference.
• Any instruction booklets and/or safety warnings for appliances should be given to the Tenants.

Gas Safety:

The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 provide the requirements for the safe installation and maintenance of gas appliances, fittings, flues, metres, pipe-work, etc.

It is important when dealing with gas safety in the property that Landlords adhere to the following guidelines:

• All gas fittings and flues in the property should have been checked within the last 12 months.
• Annual safety checks should be conducted to ensure that all gas fittings and flues are maintained in a safe condition.
• All installation and maintenance to be conducted by a Gas Safe registered and qualified engineer.
• All checks should be recorded and the information kept for future reference.
• A copy of the latest safety check should be given to the Tenants.
• Any instruction booklets and/or safety warnings for gas fittings and flues should be given to the Tenants.
• Any defective and/or faulty gas fittings or flues to be fixed, and any unsafe gas fittings or flues to be removed from the property.

Fire Safety:

The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (amended 1989 and 1993) provide for levels of fire resistance for domestic upholstered furniture, furnishings and other products containing upholstery, including the measures to be taken to improve the fire safety of materials.

The Regulations provide for the following in relation to fire safety:

• Upholstered articles must be fire-resistant;
• Upholstered articles must have passed a match resistance test and/or be used with a fire resistant interliner; and
• Both the cover fabric and the filling material must have passed a cigarette resistance test.

The Regulations apply to the following furnishings:

• Sofas and armchairs;
• Beds, headboards and mattresses;
• Sofa beds and futons;
• Nursery and children's furniture;
• Loose and stretch covers for furniture;
• Scatter cushions and seat pads;
• Furniture in new caravans; and
• Garden furniture that is used indoors.

Fire resistant furniture carries a symbol that confirms that it is fire resistant.

The Regulations do not apply to the following furnishings:

• Antique furniture or furniture made before 1950;
• Bed linen;
• Loose covers for mattresses;
• Curtains;
• Carpets; and
• Sleeping bags.

Where smoking in the property is permitted, Landlords must ensure that there are sufficient smoke alarms in all areas where smoking is permitted.

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