Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
If you do not currently have an EPC on the property we can arrange this for you at an additional cost. It is a legal requirement to have a valid EPC throughout any tenancy and one must be in place prior to advertising. These are valid for 10 years.
Gas Safety Certificate
A valid gas certificate must be in place throughout a tenancy and must be updated annually on the anniversary date by law.
Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
As of 1 July 2020 all new tenancies require the property to have a satisfactory EICR carried out by a qualified electrician. They are required every 5 years.
Legionella Disease
The practical application of health and safety law to landlords of domestic rental properties is that whilst there is a duty to assess the risk from exposure to Legionella to ensure the safety of their tenants, this does not require an in-depth, detailed assessment.
The risks from hot and cold water systems in most residential settings are generally considered to be low owing to regular water usage and turnover. A typical ‘low risk’ example may be found in a small building (eg housing unit) with small domestic-type water systems, where daily water usage is inevitable and sufficient to turn over the entire system; where cold water is directly from a wholesome mains supply (no stored water tanks); where hot water is fed from instantaneous heaters or low volume water heaters (supplying outlets at 50 °C); and where the only outlets are toilets and wash hand basins.
A simple assessment may show that there are no real risks and are being properly managed and no further action is needed. It is important to review the assessment in case anything changes in the system.Implementing simple, proportionate and appropriate control measures will ensure the risk remains low. For most domestic hot and cold water systems, temperature is the most reliable way of ensuring the risk of exposure to Legionella bacteria is minimised ie keep the hot water hot, cold water cold and keep it moving.
Other simple control measures to help control the risk of exposure to Legionella include:
- flushing out the system prior to letting the property
- avoiding debris getting into the system (eg ensure the cold water tanks, where fitted, have a tight fitting lid)
- setting control parameters (eg setting the temperature of the hot water cylinder (calorifier) to ensure water is stored at 60°C)
- make sure any redundant pipework identified is removed.
The risk is further lowered where instantaneous water heaters (for example combi boilers and electric showers) are installed because there is no water storage.If you feel that you require a professional risk assessment undertaking please ask us and we can arrange this for you through a third party contractor – price available upon request.
Furniture & FurnishingsFurniture and furnishings supplied in all rental accommodation must comply with The Furniture & Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (as amended).Some materials used to fill or cover furniture may be a fire risk, be highly flammable and may produce poisonous gases on burning e.g. cyanide or carbon monoxide.
The regulations are set to phase out potentially dangerous furniture and furnishings and ensure that those left or newly provided can pass tests for fire safety. The Regulations apply to furniture provided in rented accommodation i.e. accommodation let in the course of a business. They therefore affect landlords (including estate agents and letting agents) who let such accommodation.The Regulations require that:
- Furniture and furnishings in accommodation let for the first time since 1st March 1993 must comply with the Regulations;
- Any new, replacement or additional furniture (including second-hand furniture) provided for an existing letting since 1st March 1993 must comply with the Regulations;
- Where a new tenancy was created on or after 1st March 1993, all furniture and furnishings must comply with the Regulations
Compliant furniture must have a permanent manufacturer’s label stating that the item complies with the Regulations together with the warning ‘CARELESSNESS CAUSES FIRE’.
- The Regulations do not apply to:
- Sleeping bags;
- Bed-clothes (including duvets and pillowcases);
- Loose covers for mattresses;
- Curtains or carpets;
- Any furniture the tenant owns and brought to the letting
All types of blinds are covered within the safety standards including roller blinds, Venetian, vertical, pleated, honeycomb, Roman and cord-operated curtain tracks. A safety device should be installed at the point of installation or an alternative method of controlling the blinds would be the safest option.
Other Health & Safety Requirements
Working smoke alarms must be present on each floor of the property. A carbon monoxide monitor must also be in place where there is a gas supply.
Non-Resident / Overseas Landlords
If you are moving overseas then you will need to contact HMRC for a NRL Approval Number (Non-resident landlord). This is so that rent can be paid over to you without having to withhold tax at this end.
When you inform HMRC they will ask you for our NRL scheme number (available upon request). HMRC will then write to us to let us know that we can release the full rent to you.
Please find link below to complete the online application for approval: