safety

Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998These Regulations came into force in 1998. The Regulations are made under the Health and Safety Work Act 1974. The purpose of the Regulation is to ensure that appliances and fittings are fitted safely and check every 12 months. The Regulations apply to all gas appliances owned by the Landlord or any pipe work which directly or indirectly services the premises or rental property.What are the Regulations?

1. All Landlords must ensure maintenances of all gas fittings and flues in a safe condition.
2. Each appliance and flue must be checked for safety within 12 months of installation and at intervals of not less than 12 months of the first safety check. (Best practice is to check all properties prior to the first letting, even if newly built).
3. Records must be kept for 2 years by the Landlord or letting agent, from the date of each safety check, including:
   1. Address of premises inspected
   2. Date of inspection
   3. Name and address of Landlord or Letting Agent
   4. Name and signature of person carrying out inspection
   5. Inspector’s or their employer’s CORGI registration number
   6. Description and location of each appliance
   7. Nature of any defect discovered, the remedial actions taken
   8. Statement that person carrying out safety check examined the effectiveness of any flue; supply of combustion air; operating pressure or heat input or both; safe functioning of any appliance

1. Tenants at the property must be given a copy of the Gas Safety Inspection certificate or record within 28 days of the inspection, or new tenants with 28 days of taking up residence.
2. Landlords must ensure that suitable qualified CORGI registered installers carry out inspections and repairs undertaken.

The Furniture and Furnishing (Fire) (Safety) (Amendment) Regulation 1993These Regulations came into force on first March 1993. All furniture to comply with the Regulations must have a permanent label clearly showing that they are fire resistant. Failure to comply can incur penalties of up to a five thousand pounds and or 6 months imprisonment. Letting Agents should refuse to let the where furniture does not comply with the Regulations.What furniture should comply?These Regulations apply to any upholstered furniture intended to be used in dwellings. These include:

1. Three-piece suites, armchairs, sofas
2. Sofa-beds, futons, and other convertible furniture
3. Beds, head-boards, divans, mattress, bed bases
4. Nursery and children’s furniture
5. Covers for furniture
6. Scatter cushions and seat pads
7. Pillows
8. Garden furniture that can be used in dwellings

Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994These Regulations came into force 9th January 1995 and apply to electrical appliances between 50 and 1000 volts.The appliances supplied must be safe and the best way to establish this that is for a competent qualified electrician inspects the appliances. This test is commonly known as a Portable Appliance Test.Each item should be labelled showing that it has been tested, date of test. Records of the appliances make and serial number, Electrician name and registration number.Penalties can be fines up to five thousand pounds or 3 months imprisonment if a property is damaged or an animal is injured or killed, but if it is a human the penalty may be up to 12 months imprisonment.Plugs and Sockets Regulations S.I. 1994/1768These Regulations came into force in February 1995. The requirements are:

1. Any plug on electrical appliances must be an approved type conforming to BS1363
2. The plug must have a correct fused rating for the appliance to which it is connected
3. Mains appliances must be supplied fitted with an appropriately fixed and fitted plug
4. Sockets must be safe. Consider using a competent qualified Electrician to inspect them.