Safety and Style
We pride ourselves on the high-standards of decor, design and overall furnishing that Citypadz properties all have in common. We also make completely sure that landlords are fully aware of the safety requirements that apply to rental property.
Citypadz works with a number of organisations, who offer landlords a bespoke interior design service to suit all budgets and locations.
Gas Safety
All landlords must make sure that all their gas appliances are fully compliant with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1994 (amended 1996). They should be checked annually by a CORGI-registered engineer. A certificate will be issued after this inspection. Retain this certificate together with the inspection dates. Keep a list of any faults identified and the subsequent corrections.
A current safety certificate must be available to any tenant before occupancy.
Electrical
Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) are a legal requirement for all rental properties, introduced to help improve the energy efficiency of buildings.
Since 1 October 2008, all properties let to new tenants require an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). The certificate provides 'A' to 'G' ratings for the building, with 'A' being the most energy efficient and 'G' being the least.
Citypadz can organise for an accredited energy assessors to evaluate your property and produce an EPC alongside a report which suggests improvements to make a building more energy efficient.
House in multiple occupation (HMOs)
The Housing Act 2004 introduced a new definition of a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), introducing the mandatory licensing of all privately rented HMOs of three or more storeys and occupied by five or more people who form more than one household.
If a landlord lets a property which is one of the following types it is classed a House in Multiple Occupation:
- An entire house or flat which is let to three or more tenants who form two or more households and who share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet;
- A house which has been converted entirely into bedsits or other non-self-contained accommodation and which is let to three or more tenants who form two or more households and who share kitchen, bathroom or toilet facilities;
- A converted house which contains one or more flats which are not wholly self contained (ie the flat does not contain within it a kitchen, bathroom and toilet) and which is occupied by three or more tenants who form two or more households;
- A building which is converted entirely into self-contained flats if the conversion did not meet the standards of the 1991 Building Regulations and more than one-third of the flats are let on short-term tenancies; and
- In order to be an HMO the property must be used as the tenants' only or main residence and it should be used solely or mainly to house tenants. Properties let to students and migrant workers will be treated as their only or main residence and the same will apply to properties which are used as domestic refuges.
The team at Citypadz is on hand to offer guidance on HMOs.
Equipment
All electrical equipment, appliances, wiring and installations must be safe to use. Prior to letting you must make sure that the property complies with the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994, and the Plugs & Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994. It is advisable to employ a registered electrician to carry out a full check of your property prior to letting.
Smoke Detectors
Every property built after 1992 must have a mains-powered smoke detector and alarm, which, of course, must be fully working
Furniture and Furnishings
All furniture and furnishings must meet the necessary fire resistant levels. The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (amended 1989, 1993 & 1996) give guidelines to landlords.
General Safety
Your property must comply with the General Product Safety Regulations 1994, which cover building structure and the contents. You should make an exhaustive examination of your property to avoid all potential risks.
