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Safety checks to keep you safe at home
If you rent a house or flat your landlord has certain obligations to ensure your home is safe from fire.
According to statistics, people who live in rented accommodation stand a greater chance of having a fire.
One of the problems is that rented accommodation may not always be well maintained.
Under the 1985 Housing Act, landlords must make sure there are adequate escape routes.
Depending on the size of the property, they may also have to fit smoke alarms and provide fire extinguishers.
By law, your landlord must make sure that all the gas appliances they provide are maintained in good order and that a Corgi-registered plumber carries out a safety check each year.
The landlord is also responsible for maintaining all electrical installations (fixed wiring, etc) and any electrical appliances they provide (cookers, kettles, etc) and ensuring they are safe to use.
He or she must also make sure that any furniture and furnishings they provide meet the fire resistance regulations.
Parents may wish to check the safety of student accommodation. If you have concerns about the standard of the accommodation you should contact the university for advice.
Questions to ask your landlord include:
l Has the electrical wiring in the property been checked lately?
l Are sockets, switches, light fittings and so on checked every year?
l Is there a regular maintenance programme for gas heaters and appliances?
l Are the chimneys and flues cleaned and checked regularly?
Your council’s Environmental Health office will be able to give more details about your landlord’s obligations and can force him or her to provide adequate fire precautions
Sent: 10/07/2007
Email us direct at: repairs@londonheatingservices.co.uk
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