An EICR is a detailed inspection report that evaluates the electrical systems and installations within a property. It identifies any potential hazards, defects, or non-compliance with current electrical safety regulations. The report is essential for ensuring the safety of tenants and preventing electrical accidents, such as fires. Since December 2015, private landlords in Scotland are legally required to have an EICR conducted at least every five years for their rental properties. This includes both residential and long-term rental properties.
What is PAT Testing and what is the legal requirements for Landlords? In Scotland, landlords are legally required to conduct Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) to ensure the safety of electrical appliances provided in rental properties. Landlords must provide tenants with copies of the latest PAT testing reports and ensure that test labels are visible on all tested appliances.
A Gas Safety Certificate is an official document issued after a Gas Safe registered engineer carries out a safety inspection of a property’s gas appliances. This certificate verifies that all installations meet legal safety standards and are safe to use. Landlords are legally required to obtain an annual CP12 certificate for rental properties. The legislation (Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998) can impose penalties against landlords such as fines of up to £6,000 per appliance, Invalid property insurance claims and even possible imprisonment for severe safety breaches. Our engineers will; *Inspect all gas appliances, including boilers, cookers, and fireplaces. *Check for gas leaks and ensure there’s no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. *Ensure proper ventilation and verify that the flues are functioning correctly. *Test gas pressure to prevent appliance malfunctions. *Issue a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate.
Landlords should prioritise organising an inventory alongside completing the PRT lease agreement. An inventory is essential not only for furnished properties but also for unfurnished ones, as it documents the condition of the building, including doors, windows, appliances, cupboards, bathrooms, gardens, and sheds. Typically, any costs relating to damage are recovered from the tenant’s deposit, which is managed by an approved tenancy deposit scheme. The scheme serves as the adjudicator; therefore, landlords must provide evidence in the form of a thorough inventory report.
What is Legionella diseases and why do I need to have a Risk assessment completed? Legionnaires' disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia caused by the inhalation of small droplets of contaminated water containing legionella. All man-made hot and cold water systems are likely to provide an environment where legionella can grow. The law is clear that if you are a landlord and rent out your property (or even a room within your own home) then you have legal responsibilities to ensure the health and safety of your tenant by keeping the property safe and free from health hazards. You must have a Legionella Risk Assessment completed.
All privately rented properties in Scotland must not have lead pipes, fittings, or tanks in the drinking water supply from March 2024. To comply with Scotland Repairing Standard, lead pipes and lead-lined storage tanks or fittings should not be present in the drinking water supply of any privately rented property from the boundary stopcock to the kitchen tap. If in doubt the landlord must have a water test completed, we only use laboratories that are UKAS accredited to BS17025. Some services will use laboratories that do not have this accreditation. The risk of using a non-accredited laboratory is that the test result may not be accepted by those tasked with enforcing landlord duties, such as the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber) or the local authority’s landlord registration or HMO departments.
Energy Performance Certificates were introduced in 2009. An EPC provides an energy rating for a building based on the way it is used, and makes recommendations for ways in which the building's efficiency could be improved, to help save energy, reduce bills and cut carbon dioxide emissions. Who needs to produce an EPC? The owner of a property that is marketed for rent must be able to produce a valid EPC free of charge to any prospective tenants. Did you know the certificate must be produced within nine days of the request.
Are your smoke and heat alarms up to the Scottish Repairing Standard? All rented homes in Scotland must have: * Interlinked smoke & heat alarms * Carbon monoxide detector Scotland Repairing Standard sets out the criteria that must for rental properties in Scotland. Did you know that in Scotland for one year there were 5,310 reported fires in dwellings (e.g. houses, flats and maisonettes) in one calendar year. Fires can have a devastating effect on the lives of people and can result in deaths and injuries.