Health and safety in private rented accommodation

Landlords have a legal duty to ensure all gas appliances/fittings and flues are maintained in safe working order - ensuring annual safety checks are carried out by a fully qualified and competent Gas Safe registered engineer.

The landlord must also keep a record of safety checks and issue a copy of the gas safety certificate to the tenant within 28 days of the annual check.

Gas appliances owned by the tenant are the responsibility of the tenant.

For more information, visit the Gas Safe website.

Landlords and tenants can find more information about legal responsibilities for gas safety on the Health and Safety Executive website.

Landlords have a legal obligation to ensure electrical installations and appliances in rented accommodation are safe.

In a House in Multiple Occupation the electrical supply and installation to the property should be tested every five years to ensure it complies with current safety standards.

Testing should be carried out by an electrical engineer registered with one of the organisations recognised by the Government's Competent Person Scheme.

Following testing, landlords receive an Electrical Installation Condition Report which recommends any work which needs to be undertaken.

Should the report make C1 (danger present) or C2 (potentially dangerous) recommendations, the landlord must act on the recommendations.

Portable electrical appliances

Landlords and letting agents must ensure all electrical appliances supplied as part of the tenancy are in safe condition.

Appliances include fridges, washing machines, ovens, microwaves, etc.

For more information about the legal responsibilities for electrical safety, visit the Electrical Safety Council website.

Private sector landlords must fit at least one smoke alarm on every storey of a property.

Carbon monoxide alarms must be fitted in any room which contains a solid fuel burning appliance, such as a coal fire or wood burning stove.

Alarms must be tested and working at the start of a new tenancy.

The council has responsibility for enforcing the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations. Landlords who fail to comply with the regulations face a fine of up to £5,000.

Read the Government's guide to the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations

Please note - different fire safety regulations apply to houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). Read our information on HMOs to find out more.

For more information on fire safety visit the Fire Service website.

 

Condensation can cause a black mould growth in your home.

Taking the following steps can help minimise condensation in your home:

Reduce moisture

• wipe moisture from windows and sills with a cloth - wring the cloth out in the sink and do not dry on a radiator
• dry clothes outside whenever possible - if you have to dry clothes indoors, open windows
• put lids on saucepans when you cook
• avoid using paraffin or bottle gas heaters
• make sure your tumble dryer has a vent outside

Increase ventilation

• try to vent each room in your house for a short period every day - open a window or use the trickle ventilator
• open a kitchen window while cooking and bathroom window after showering/bathing
• do not block air vents or extractor fans - install humidity-controlled extractor fans if possible
• keep kitchen/bathroom doors closed when in use and open when not in use

Keep your home warm and allow air to circulate

• heat your home efficiently -  try to keep the temperature above 18°C to help stop condensation occurring
• allow air to circulate in your home by avoiding putting furniture against outside walls - where possible, position furniture against internal walls (walls which have a room on both sides)

Remove mould as soon as you find it

• use a mould/mildew cleaning product to clean mould (always follow the manufacturer's instructions)
• use fungicidal paints and decorating materials to help stop mould returning

Environmental protection team

Email: ept@rugby.gov.uk

Telephone: (01788) 533857

Town Hall, Evreux Way, Rugby, CV21 2RR