GAS SAFETY REGULATIONS (1994):

The regulations require that all gas installations and maintenance of gas fittings, appliances, meters, pipe work and ventilation flues are checked for their safe use (includes portable appliances fuelled by Calor Gas propane or other liquid gas).

Gas installations and appliances are required to be maintained in a safe condition with regular annual checks carried out by registered plumbers who are members of GORGI or British Gas contractor engineers.

Before a tenancy can commence a Gas Safety Certificate/report must be issued which is valid for twelve months. A copy of the certificate is retained by the landlord to keep on file for up to two years. A copy should be left with the tenant at the property. At the tenants request a certificate must be made available within 28 days.

If gas meter is locked landlords must ensure the tenant is provided with a key to access it.

The landlord is not responsible for any gas appliances supplied by the tenant(s).

Useful contacts:

AA Field Mechanical Services Ltd, Corgi Certified – Fred: 07768 512 145 (North of River)

SW8 Heating and Plumbing, Corgi Certified – Alex Galli: 07803 619 158 (South of River)

Floren - 07786 263 009 (South of South)

THE FURNITURE AND FURNISHINGS (FIRE)(SAFETY) REGULATIONS 1998 (AMENDED) 1993 & 1996:

All soft furnishings supplied, must meet the official fire resistance standards by having a sewn label in confirming that it complies.

Where a label is not present, a receipt may be used as proof that it was purchased after 1^st March 1990, and therefore complies.

The regulations do not apply to carpets, curtains, bed sheets, linen, sleeping bags or antique furniture manufactured before 1950.

It is also the responsibility of the Landlord to check the compliance of any furnishings left behind by the previous tenants, if included in the next let.

TENANCY DEPOSIT SCHEME:

The Housing Act 2004 has provisions for a mandatory national tenancy deposit scheme. The Act only covers Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreements starting on or after 6^th April 2007.

The Government has awarded contracts to three companies to run the Tenancy Protection schemes from 6^th April 2007. One of these is a custodial scheme and two work on an insurance based scheme.

The Deposit Protection Service:

• Custodial scheme and only scheme that is completely free.
• Deposit is not held by landlord.

www.depositprotection.com

Tel: 0870 707 1 707

The Dispute Service Limited:

• Insurance based scheme.
• Landlords pay a fee to insure deposit.
• Where there is a dispute with the deposit, it will be dealt with by an independent dispute examiner

www.thedisputeservice.co.uk

Tel: 0845 226 7837

Tenancy Deposit Solutions Limited:

• Insurance based scheme.
• Landlords pay a fee to insure deposit.
• If you are not satisfied with their explanation for withholding all or part of your deposit, you can ask Tenancy Deposit Solutions Ltd for advice and assistance on how to resolve the issue in the first instance.

www.mydeposits.co.uk

Tel: 0871 703 0552

ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES:

If you are a landlord, you’ll need to make an EPC available to prospective tenants the first time you let a home after 1 October 2008. An EPC is only required for a property which is self-contained, and is valid for 10 years. An EPC isn’t required when a tenant rents a room and shares facilities.

The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) gives home owners, tenants and buyers information on the energy efficiency of their property. It gives the building a standard energy and carbon emission efficiency grade from ‘A’ to ‘G’, where ‘A’ is the most efficient and with the average to date being D.

EPC’s can be arranged by View Lettings Ltd.

Useful Contacts:

www.campaigns.direct.gov.uk/epc/

www.communities.gov.uk/epbd

David Bailey – 0208 742 1809 – www.hartgrewenergysevices.co.uk/enquiry.php

Richard Burrell – 0207 278 5301 – 07957 482 143 – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

All information contained in this handout was correct at time of printing and View Lettings Ltd hold no liability for any wrong information.

Landlord Registration