Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988
It is an offence to let out a property containing furniture and furnishings that do not comply with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. If any property is found not to comply, the Landlord and Agent could face up to six months imprisonment and/or fines of up to £5,000.
With effect from 1st March 1993, it became an offence to supply furniture in a rented property which does not comply with the standards contained in Regulation 14 of the 1988 Regulations.
It should be noted that furniture manufactured before 1st January 1950 is exempt from the Regulations.
The Regulations state that the offence is committed when the furniture is supplied “in the course of business”. Investment or professional Landlords are therefore clearly covered by the legislation.
Owner occupiers letting their own home on a “one-off short term” basis are less likely to be deemed as acting in the “course of business” and may be exempt from the regulations.
Further Regulations
a) The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1994
The regulations place a duty on landlords to maintain all gas appliances in their property through annual inspections and safety checks which must be carried out by a registered CORGI Engineer. As with the Fire Regulations, non compliance with the Gas Safety Regulations could result in a fine or imprisonment.
b) The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994
The regulations apply to any electrical equipment between 50 and 1000 volts a/c and require that the apparatus must be safe and guidelines are to have a system and equipment tested every three years. When an electrical system has been altered for repair or upgrading this has to comply with ‘Part P’ of the electrical regulations.
c) Smoke Detectors Act 1991
The Department of Environment regulations require any new building (built after June 1992) to have smoke detectors installed. If your property was built after this date mains operated smoke detectors must be fitted on each floor.
