As a tenant, you have the right to live in a property that’s safe and secure. This right is upheld by imposing safety obligations on landlords, including obligations to ensure:
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gas safety. If the property uses gas:
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all gas equipment supplied at the property must be installed and maintained by a competent engineer who is Gas Safe registered
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the landlord must carry out gas safety checks every year and must list any defects found and remedial actions taken in the gas safety certificate
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landlords should keep copies of the gas safety record of each relevant appliance for at least 2 years
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all tenants must be given an up-to-date copy of a gas safety certificate whenever a safety check is done
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all electrical appliances (eg cookers, washing machines, and heaters) and equipment must meet safety standards and carry the British Safety Standard sign
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the landlord is responsible for removing or replacing any faulty items
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electrical installations must be regularly inspected and tested by a registered electrician, usually at least once every 5 years
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fire safety:
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furnishings supplied in the property must meet fire safety standards (eg beds and mattresses, sofas, garden furniture, pillows, duvets, etc). The landlord must remove non-compliant items before the tenant moves into the property
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working smoke alarms must be installed in the property
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in Wales: at least one smoke alarm must be installed on every floor of a property, which must be connected to the main electrical supply and linked to the other main smoke alarms in the property (ie to at least one other alarm per floor)
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in England: at least one smoke alarm must be installed on every floor that is used partially or fully as living accommodation (ie space that’s primarily used for living or which people spend a significant amount of time in)
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