Current regulations

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

Under the European Union Energy Performance of Building Directive, it is a legal requirement in the UK that every residential property have an EPC before it is marketed for letting from 1st October 2008. Landlords must by law provide Relo Redac Strattons with an EPC prior to marketing their property. A domestic energy assessor having inspected the property provides a report rating the energy efficiency on a scale of A-G with suggested recommendations. The EPC rating must be between A and E for letting/sales property under the current regulation. The EPC must be available to all prospective Tenants.

Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 as amended 1993

This covers soft furnishings such as: mattresses, padded headboards, bed bases, armchairs, sofas, chairs, cushions etc. All furniture and furnishings must have a label attached and any items that do not comply must be removed and replaced. Please note you cannot get round the regulations by selling, giving or leaving furniture for the Tenants as this is still considered supply of goods. Non-compliance is a criminal offence and could result in a fine, imprisonment, or both.

 

The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998

Any person letting their property must ensure that all gas appliances and installation pipe work in that property are maintained in a safe condition to prevent risk of injury. All such appliances and pipe work must be checked annually by a registered GAS SAFE engineer (New regulations from 1st April 2009) and a certificate obtained. The Tenant must be given a copy of the certificate within 14 days. At the commencement of every new Tenancy each Tenant must be given a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate at the time they take occupation and under no circumstances will the Tenant be allowed occupation of the property by us without one.

Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994

Any person supplying electrical equipment must ensure that it is safe, will not cause danger and satisfies the requirements of the regulations. These require electrical equipment to be safe and constructed with good engineering practice. You are advised to have all electrics (wiring, plugs, sockets etc) and electrical appliances checked before the commencement of a Tenancy and regularly thereafter. According to Part P of the Building (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2004, any electrical work must be carried out by an electrician who is a member of a Government approved scheme. The electrician must provide the Landlord with an electrical safety certificate for the work carried out. A copy of the electrical safety certificate must be provided to the local authority.

There are many more regulations that Landlords are required to comply with in order to let a property. We would highly recommend that you check with a legal expert to ensure compliance with current regulations before you begin marketing your property.

The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015

This Legislation was introduced from 1^st of October 2015 requiring the Landlord to install smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms to protect their residence. All rental properties and their residents are adequately protected against fire and carbon monoxide.

The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 – The Regulations came into force on 1 June 2020 and form part of the Department’s wider work to improve safety in all residential premises and particularly in the private rented sector. These new Regulations require landlords to have the electrical installations in their properties inspected and tested by a person who is qualified and competent, at an interval of at least every 5 years. Landlords must provide a copy of the electrical safety report to their tenants, and to their local authority if requested.

The Fitness For Human Habitation Act 2018

On 20 March 2019 a law came into force to make sure that rented houses and flats are ‘fit for human habitation’, which means that they are safe, healthy, and free from things that could cause serious harm. If rented houses and flats are not ‘fit for human habitation’, tenants can take their landlords to court. The court can make the landlord carry out repairs or put right health andsafety problems. The court can also make the landlord pay compensation to the tenant.

Smoke Detection Act 1991

This act makes it mandatory to fit mains-powered smoke alarms in new residential buildings – one on each floor.

Electrical Installation (Safety) Regulations 2020

An EICR is an Electrical Installation Condition Report. It is a formal document that is produced following an assessment of the electrical installation within a property. It must be carried out by an experienced qualified electrician or approved contractor.

The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 came into force on 1 June 2020 and apply to all tenancies created on or after that date in England from 1 July 2020.

The regulations apply in England to all new specified tenancies from 1 July 2020 and all existing specified tenancies from 1 April 2021. 'New specified tenancies' is any tenancy created on or after 1 June 2020.

These new regulations require landlords to have the electrical installations in their properties inspected at least every 5 years and tested by a person who is qualified and competent. Landlords will also have to provide a copy of the electrical safety report to their tenants as well as to the local authority if requested.