Landlord Safety Checklist

• The main purpose of an EICR is for the safety of your tenants, and also to avoid damage that will cost you a lot of money to repair. 
• The report is essentially an in-depth inspection of your rental property’s electrical systems and the way it has been installed. 
• It’s carried out by a professional electrician, and you will receive a grade depending on the workability of your system. These grades are C1, which means you need to fix your system immediately as it is dangerous. C2 means there is a potential for your system to become dangerous so you need to urgently repair it, and C3, means that there is no risk of danger.

How often you should get an EICR done really depends on a number of circumstances – you’ll need to legally do one every five years unless the electrician states otherwise, in which case, you may be required to do one three years after the first report.

• Typically an EICR will take around 3-4 hours to complete, depending on the size of  property and the number of circuits requiring testing. 
• There are several elements that are tested during an EICR – the first being how well wires have been earthed and bonded. An electrician will also check your devices’ protection against fire and electric shock. They will also assess any damage to electrical fitting and exposed wiring.

• An EICR is a legal requirement, and it’s highly advised that you get an up to date report done. This is because you are responsible for the safety of those renting your property, and you can be legally prosecuted if something happens in the home and your documents are not up to date. That being said, it’s really important not to overlook an EICR report because if you do, it can call for some very serious consequences. 
• A copy of the report must be given to the tenant before they occupy the property. Mashroom will only issue the tenant with a copy of the certificate if you have uploaded it during the property listing process.

• Fire extinguishers. Many landlords and tenants feel happier if there is fire equipment in place should the worst happen. As long as you make sure you are meeting all the required fire safety regulations, there is no problem in providing that little extra safety net. If you provide any equipment such as fire extinguishers, you must also provide the full manufacturer’s instructions to your tenants, making sure that they are fully confident in how to use the equipment safely. You should get a signature from every tenant to prove that they have received the paperwork and received training on how to safely use the equipment. 
• Fire blanket. You should also make it a priority to supply a fire blanket in the kitchen with clear instructions on how to use it. Check the LACORS guide for clear guidance on fire safety.
• Fire safety route. Ensure there is clear access to escape routes at all times. Landlords are legally responsible to make sure that their tenants can access an escape route, so ensure that exits are not blocked by any furniture or fittings included in the rental. It’s also a good idea to communicate with your tenants about escape routes to make sure they don’t block exits themselves, though in this case you wouldn’t be legally responsible as a landlord.

Keep in mind that HMO’s do require the following: 

• Fire-fighting equipment – and the appropriate training/paperwork on how to use it
• A hardwired smoke detector on every floor of the property
• A fire blanket in the kitchen 
• External doors that can be opened from the inside without a key
• Emergency lighting
• Documented fire escape route
• Clear ‘Fire Exit’ signage
• Ensure there is clear access to escape routes at all time
• Ensure any supplied furniture or furnishings are fire safe

You may not be surprised to hear that installing fire alarms in your property is a legal requirement, but are you aware of your legal responsibilities regarding carbon monoxide? 

Are these legal requirements? 

• Carbon monoxide is an odourless, colourless gas, which is caused by the incomplete combustion of fuel. Prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide can lead to memory issues and difficulty concentrating, as well as vision and hearing loss, which is why it is extremely important to have all alarms in check.  
• Landlords are legally required to install a smoke alarm on every floor where there is a room being used for living space. 
• A carbon monoxide detector must be installed in every room where there is a solid fuel burning appliance (ie. coal fire or wood burning stove).

How often should they be tested? 

• Landlords must check that each alarm is in proper working condition at the start of each new tenancy. 
• Fire safety regulations require you to make sure that the alarms are working at the start of each tenancy. We recommend testing them before your tenant moves in, so you can get them fixed before the move-in date if necessary. 
• We also recommend you test the alarms in front of your tenant, so they can sign a document confirming the alarms are in good working order. 
• Ask your tenant to also check the alarms regularly. Ideally, this would be a weekly check, but monthly checks are also sufficient.

Whose responsibility is that? 

As of 1st October 2015, private landlords were required to have at least one smoke alarm installed on every floor of their property. However, you are only legally required to have a carbon monoxide detector if you have a solid fuel burning appliance.