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We appreciate landlords have a lot to consider these days, but there are fundamental issues which will always be important. You must aim to keep tenants happy, and you must provide tenants with a safe rental environment.
Legislation such as the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act provides guidelines for landlords to follow. There is also the mechanism for tenants to take landlords to court if they are unhappy.
Therefore, health and safety matters are crucial, and at Bluestone Properties, we aim to help Tooting landlords as best we can.
Gas safety is essential for Tooting landlords
While Gas Safety Week took place in September, there is never a bad time for landlords to consider their gas safety obligations. The 2020 edition was the tenth Gas Safety Week, but given the importance of gas safety, it is an issue for all landlords to consider.
Follow these tips to present a gas safe rental property
As part of the awareness week, Gas Safety Register has also published the following ten top tips to keep in mind when it comes to gas safety.
The Gas Safety Register has provided ten tips to help landlords maintain a good standard of gas safety in their rental property:
Only use a Gas Safe registered engineer to fit, fix and service your appliances. You can find and check an engineer at GasSafeRegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500.
Check both sides of your engineer’s Gas Safe Register ID card. Make sure they are qualified for the work you need doing. You can find this information on the back of the card.
Have all your gas appliances regularly serviced and safety checked every year. If you rent your home ask for a copy of the landlord’s current Gas Safety Record.
Know the six signs of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning – headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, collapse and loss of consciousness. Unsafe gas appliances can put you at risk of CO poisoning, gas leaks, fires and explosions.
Check gas appliances for warning signs that they are not working properly e.g. lazy yellow flames instead of crisp blue ones, black marks or stains on or around the appliance and too much condensation in the room.
Fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm. This will alert you if there is carbon monoxide in your home.
Keep vents and chimneys clear. Make sure you don’t block any vents, as they are vital to ensure gas appliances burn properly, and chimneys need to be cleaned and checked regularly.
Use gas appliances only for their intended purpose. Don’t be tempted to use them for something they weren’t meant for (e.g using a gas cooker to heat a room).
Know the emergency procedure. If you smell gas or suspect immediate danger, make sure you familiarise yourself with the emergency procedure and contact the relevant number for your UK region.
Spread the word. Share vital gas safety information with friends, family and neighbours to make sure your community stays safe.
We are letting agents and estate agents in south London. We are here to help you find your dream home or let your property. We have years of experience in the industry and will make your house hunting process easy and stress-free. Please contact Bluestone Properties today by calling us on 0208 355 3405 or emailing us at info@bluestoneproperties.co.uk.
