The Power Service

Landlords

If Property Management is your business, or if you let just a single property, we can provide a unique, one-stop, hassle-free package tailored to your requirements. We employ only fully trained competent engineers, using calibrated testing equipment.

Laws relating to Let Property

There are five main areas of law which a property must comply with before it is ready to be let :

Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1994 (as amended) - all gas appliances must “be safe”

The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 - all electrical appliances must “be safe”

Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (as amended) - all upholstered furniture must comply with safety standards and carry a fire resistance display label. For further information see the Government website: http://www.berr.gov.uk/consumers/fact-sheets/page38123.html
Smoke Detectors Act 1991 – the property must have smoke alarms

The Housing Act 2004 - requirements from April 2006

Before a property is let you must make sure, by law, that it and its contents comply with the above.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) recommends that tenants should obtain assurances or certificates of compliance to the Safety Regulations from their landlords. It is further recommended tenants check that all electrical appliances have been PAT tested by the landlord. For further information see the RICS website :
http://www.rics.org/RICSWEB/getpage.aspx?p=97vZ9P55T0CXtMF1sdXgXQ

Gas Safety
The Power Service can carry out the annual gas safety inspection to the property and provide the necessary Gas Safety Certificate (CP12).

Electrical Equipment Safety
The Power Service can inspect and test the landlord’s electrical appliances (PAT testing) and carry out a visual survey of the electrical power points, light switches, earth bonding and fuse box once a year and prior to a new tenancy. The landlord is provided with Visual Inspection Reports and Appliance Test Results which also help to control property damage.

Periodic Inspection Report (PIR) to the Electrical Installation
The electrical circuitry should be inspected and tested on a five yearly cycle. The Power Service will carry out this inspection and provide a full report (PIR) with any recommendations needed to bring the electrical system up to the standard required under current regulations BS7671. Some insurance companies require this inspection and any safety issues rectified, before granting insurance cover.

Furniture and Furnishings Safety
Our engineers are trained to inspect any upholstered furniture and furnishings belonging to the Landlord as part of the visual survey. A separate Certificate can be provided for HMO (Homes in Multiple Occupation) Licensing purposes.

Smoke Detectors Safety
If required, we can provide a full electrical inspection of the smoke alarms system with a Certificate for HMO (Homes in Multiple Occupation) Licensing purposes.

The Housing Act 2004 – Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
From April 2006, managing agents and private landlords carry the responsibility to assess their property for hazards that may cause a health or safety risk to tenants and make changes to reduce the risks.

The Housing Act 2004 – Homes in Multiple Occupation (HMO)
From April 2006, the electrical installation in all HMOs should be tested and certified by a fully qualified electrician.

The Housing Act 2004 – Homes in Multiple Occupation (HMO)
Certain (so-called high risk) HMOs are required by law to be licensed (minimum five tenants in a property with three floors - includes entrance lobby). We can provide gas, electrical, smoke alarm and furniture and furnishings inspections and individual certificates to accompany the licence application. We can also carry out improvement works required by the Local Authority.

Landlords’ Accreditation schemes
We can help you gain accreditation by providing the inspection and testing certificates and reports and, if necessary, we can arrange to carry out the improvement works to bring the property to accreditation level.

Part P Building Regulations 2000
We are registered with a Part P self-certification scheme. All domestic electrical work carried out must be tested and inspected and certification provided in accordance with the new Building Regulations. Other non-notifiable minor electrical work must also be inspected and tested and minor works certificates issued, as required by BS7671.

To download the latest version of the Part P Document go to http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/professionals/en/4000000001253.html

Other areas of the Law applying to Landlords

Consumer Protection Act 1987 – applies to the safety of any appliances (portable or fixed-wired) made available for use by the tenant.

Failure to comply with Safety Regulations may constitute a criminal offence, carrying a maximum penalty of a £5,000 fine and/or 6 months imprisonment.

click here for prosecutions

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 - landlords and/or letting agents can also be sued in Civil Law under the Duty of Care for failure to ensure tenants’ safety, and face punitive damages.

click here for prosecutions

The Power Service can provide the following services:

A one-stop-shop for all your inspections and certificates
We can contact the tenant and make arrangements for access
We will notify you one month prior to the next annual inspection
Strict confidentiality maintained by registration under The Data Protection Act
We can carry out pre-purchase electrical and gas inspections on new properties
We can provide estimates for remedial work