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Key Takeaways:
- Health and safety standards in properties require full compliance. Failure to comply will result in fines, enforcement action, and void periods.
- A well-maintained property protects your rental business and reduces long-term operating costs.
- Ignoring health and safety notices could lead to prosecution and fines amounting to thousands of pounds.
- Compliant rental properties are not only protected from hefty fines but also attract better tenants while minimising the need for emergency repairs.
- Professional property management provides streamlined compliance services that help you stay compliant without constant involvement.
Why Complying with Health and Safety Standards in Properties Matters
The health and safety standards in properties should not be taken lightly. You could be fined thousands of pounds if you fail to address serious health and safety hazards in your rental property.
In fact, two landlords have been fined for multiple offences under the Housing Act 2004. One was asked to pay £4,912 and the other £2,960.30. These included penalties, costs, and victim surcharges.
Both had previously received improvement notices after property inspections revealed dangerous conditions in their rental properties. Among the issues were:
- Damp and mould conditions
- Electrical safety concerns
- Expired gas safety certificates
- Broken windows and doors
- Substandard state of the kitchen and bathroom
- Missing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
When the landlords failed to improve their properties, the courts did not just fine them. Their rental income was also disrupted.
If you want to protect your rental business this year, ensure you are fully compliant with the latest health and safety standards for properties.
The Housing Act 2004
The health and safety standards for all London properties are set out in the Housing Act 2004. This is the law that introduced the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).
The HHSRS is used by local authorities in England and Wales to assess properties for health and safety risks, while the Decent Homes Standard is the technical standard for housing to be considered safe for occupancy.
The HHSRS is an evaluation tool used by local authorities to assess dwellings in England and Wales. It differs from the Decent Homes Standard, which sets broader technical standards for dwellings that extend beyond health and safety, whereas the HHSRS is used to identify health risks and safety hazards.
Through the HHSRS, local authorities can inspect rental properties, issue improvement notices, prosecute non-compliant parties, and impose penalties where appropriate.
To protect your rental income, you need to maintain full compliance with health and safety standards for your properties.
Common Health and Safety Issues in London Rentals
As a landlord, it’s your responsibility to ensure your rental property passes the HHSRS evaluation tool. To understand how, the government released a guide, “How to Rent a Safe Home,” to help tenants inspect rental properties before signing a lease. You can use the same guide to identify your responsibilities in keeping their property safe for occupants.
Here is a list of health and safety hazards that should be dealt with in your rental property.
- Damp and mould. This is caused by ventilation issues, leaks, and substandard insulation. This can cause serious respiratory ailments and can lead to costly renovations to correct.
- Gas safety issues. Expired or missing gas safety certificates are considered a serious breach. It is subject to swift enforcement action and can invalidate your property’s insurance.
- Electrical risks. This includes overloaded circuits, outdated wiring, and missing or expired Electrical Safety Reports. These can lead to electrical fires and huge fines from local councils.
- Fire safety hazards. Properties with faulty fire doors, missing smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers are fire safety hazards. These can lead to heavy penalties and can even keep rental properties from operating.
- Poor property condition. These could mean broken doors and windows, unsafe kitchens, or defective bathrooms. All of these are classified as hazards by HHSRS.
Did you know:
3.7 million homes in England are considered “non-decent,” posing health and safety risks. – Health.org.uk
Benefits of Complying with Health and Safety Standards
Compliance should not be treated as an expense but rather as an investment in your rental property. While improving your property’s condition comes with a cost, it yields clear financial benefits for future rental profits.
- Fewer emergency repairs. Complying with HHSRS, including the Decent Homes Standard, is considered preventive maintenance. It significantly reduces the need for costly emergency call-outs.
- Lower void periods. Properties flagged for health and safety issues are immediately removed from the rental market listing. By complying, you are protecting your property and its rental income.
- Improved tenant retention. A well-maintained and safe home is better at retaining tenants. You’ll get fewer disputes and lower turnover costs.
- Minimal to zero enforcement risk. Compliance lowers the risk of paying fines, penalties, and other income-disrupting issues.
How to Stay Compliant with Health and Safety Standards
Staying compliant does not have to be an expensive investment. By keeping up with your property’s maintenance schedule and with property planning, you can meet local housing standards, protect your rental business, and increase your rental income.
Here are tips that City Relay uses to help rental properties comply with health and safety standards.
Schedule compliance checks early
Keep a record of all licenses, certificates, and assessments. Track renewal dates and schedule them in advance. Among the documents you need to track are:
- Gas safety certificates
- Electrical safety reports
- Fire risk assessments
- EPCs
- Other licensing requirements
Address minor issues promptly
Small issues can lead to major, and often costly, repairs. Even small leaks can cause significant structural damage, often requiring the replacement of walls or flooring.
Save yourself the trouble and the huge repair bill. Schedule a property inspection to determine whether any additional repairs are needed. Then have everything repaired as soon as possible.
Keep records
Keep detailed, up-to-date records of your compliance. File the paperwork in an easy-to-access folder or store digital copies of your documents. This will make it easier to comply with inspections.
Make sure the dates are clear and organised. You can use this same report to remind you of renewal or expiration dates. Set up alerts to apply for renewals or schedule assessments before they are due.
Plan maintenance schedules
Don’t wait for issues to arise before you act. Plan regular inspections and maintenance schedules throughout the year. This will help you identify repairs before they become a major issue.
Maintaining a structured maintenance schedule also helps you stay financially prepared for them.
Partner with professional property management
Managing health and safety standards, along with marketing, pricing, bookings, and guest or tenant communication, can be time-consuming.
Working with a professional property management company like City Relay will give you:
- Online portal to access property performance data
- Proactive compliance monitoring
- Access to an in-house maintenance team
- Structured inspections
- Faster resolutions
- Lower operational risk
Property management companies come with tried and tested systems that allow you to comply with regulations and maximise rental income without daily involvement.
Invest in Health And Safety to Protect Your Property
London landlords should review the health and safety of their properties to ensure compliance. It’s not just a requirement, it’s part of your investment.
It will help you avoid fines and costly enforcement actions while reducing operational costs. It will also increase your property’s value, helping retain tenants or attract more guests. By keeping your property safe and well-maintained, you ensure it remains consistently rentable.
City Relay offers professional compliance management for London property owners and landlords. We’ll help you stay compliant and handle the maintenance and property operations.
Find out more about how our property management solutions can improve your rental income. Let’s take a look at your rental income potential in London.
Get a free rental estimate now.
FAQs: Health and Safety Standards in Properties
What are the health and safety standards for London properties?
Landlords should refer to the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) to find out which standards London properties must comply with. Among the core requirements are:
- Gas and electrical safety. Annual gas safety checks should be conducted by a Gas Safe registered professional, while Electrical installations should be checked every 5 years.
- Fire and smoke alarms. Smoke alarms should be on every floor, and carbon monoxide detectors should be in rooms with fuel-burning appliances.
- Damp and mould. This complies with Awaab’s Law, which requires that reports of damp and mould be investigated within 10 to 14 days and remedied within 24 hours of confirmation.
- Window safety. This new rule requires child-resistant window restrictors for windows at risk of falls.
Can health and safety issues stop my property from being rented?
Yes, local authorities and city councils can restrict your rental property business if they find health and safety issues. This won’t be immediate. You will usually be given fair warning and official notice. They will give you enough time to make the necessary improvements to pass the health and safety standards in properties.
If you fail to act on the notice, you will not only be prohibited from renting your property; you will also be subject to penalties. You will also be subject to hefty fines and penalties.
How can professional management reduce compliance risk?
Professional property management companies like City Relay have systems in place to streamline compliance management. We have a smart proprietary platform that monitors all certificates, assessments, and reports. You’ll be notified of upcoming renewals and expiration dates.
We can also conduct regular assessments and inspections to ensure compliance with current health and safety standards. You’ll be notified of the schedule and costs. This ensures all issues are addressed proactively, keeping your property compliant and available for rent.
