Safety in Your Home
At a Glance
When you rent a property, you’re entitled to expect that it is safe to live in.
Private landlords have a legal duty to maintain certain safety standards throughout your tenancy. These include ensuring that gas and electrical installations are safe, providing working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms where required, and dealing with hazards that could put your health or safety at risk.
As a tenant, you also have responsibilities, such as testing smoke alarms regularly, reporting faults promptly and allowing reasonable access for safety inspections and repairs.
This guide explains the key safety requirements for rented homes in England and what you should do if you have concerns.
Gas Safety
If your home has any gas appliances supplied by your landlord, they have legal responsibilities to keep them safe.
Your landlord must:
- Arrange a gas safety inspection every 12 months.
- Use a Gas Safe registered engineer.
- Repair any dangerous gas installations they are responsible for.
- Provide you with a copy of the latest Gas Safety Record.
Gas appliances may include:
- Boilers
- Gas fires
- Gas cookers or hobs
- Water heaters
If you smell gas:
- Leave the property if necessary.
- Do not use electrical switches or naked flames.
- Call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately.
- Inform your landlord as soon as possible.
Never attempt to repair gas appliances yourself.
Electrical Safety
Electrical installations can deteriorate over time, which is why landlords must ensure they remain safe.
Private landlords are generally required to have the property’s fixed electrical installation inspected and tested at least every five years by a suitably qualified person.
This inspection is known as an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).
If the report identifies dangerous defects, your landlord should arrange any required remedial work within the required timescales.
You should report immediately if you notice:
- Burning smells.
- Sparking sockets.
- Exposed wiring.
- Frequently tripping electrics.
- Damaged switches or sockets.
Never attempt electrical repairs yourself unless you’re qualified to do so.
Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Smoke alarms save lives.
Your landlord must ensure the property meets the legal requirements for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms before your tenancy begins.
Generally, this means:
- At least one smoke alarm on every storey used as living accommodation.
- Carbon monoxide alarms where required by law, including rooms containing a fixed combustion appliance (excluding most gas cookers).
Your landlord should ensure alarms are working at the start of your tenancy.
As a tenant, you should:
- Test alarms regularly.
- Replace batteries if your tenancy agreement makes you responsible for battery-powered units.
- Report faulty alarms immediately.
- Never remove or disable alarms.
Fire Safety
Fire safety is everyone’s responsibility.
Simple precautions can significantly reduce the risk of fire.
You should:
- Keep escape routes clear.
- Never block exits.
- Avoid overloading electrical sockets.
- Switch off appliances when not in use where appropriate.
- Keep portable heaters away from flammable materials.
- Store matches and lighters safely.
If your property is a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), additional fire safety requirements may apply.
Furniture & Furnishings
Any upholstered furniture supplied by your landlord should comply with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations.
This usually includes items such as:
- Sofas
- Armchairs
- Mattresses
- Cushions
Most compliant furniture carries a permanent fire safety label.
If supplied furniture appears unsafe or heavily damaged, report it to your landlord.
Windows, Stairs & Other Hazards
A safe home is about more than gas and electricity.
Tell your landlord if you notice:
- Loose stair handrails.
- Broken steps.
- Damaged flooring creating trip hazards.
- Unsafe balconies.
- Loose ceiling plaster.
- Broken windows.
- Faulty locks affecting security.
- Loose roof tiles.
- Dangerous garden structures provided by the landlord.
Many of these issues may be considered hazards that your landlord should investigate and repair.
Your Responsibilities
Keeping your home safe isn’t just your landlord’s responsibility.
As a tenant, you should:
- Report safety concerns promptly.
- Allow reasonable access for inspections.
- Test smoke alarms regularly.
- Use appliances safely.
- Keep escape routes clear.
- Tell your landlord if alarms stop working.
- Never interfere with safety equipment.
Prompt reporting helps your landlord deal with problems before they become more serious.
Reporting Safety Concerns
If you believe something in your home is unsafe:
Step 1
Take photographs if it’s safe to do so.
Step 2
Report the issue to your landlord or letting agent as soon as possible.
Where possible, do so in writing.
Step 3
Keep copies of all correspondence and photographs.
Step 4
Allow reasonable access so repairs or inspections can be carried out.
What If Your Landlord Doesn't Take Action?
If your landlord ignores a serious safety issue:
Follow up in writing
Ask for an update and keep copies of your communication.
Contact your local council
Your local authority’s Private Sector Housing Team can inspect rented properties where serious hazards are suspected.
If necessary, they may require your landlord to carry out repairs or other safety improvements.
Seek legal advice
If the problem continues and affects your safety, you may wish to seek independent legal advice about your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should my landlord arrange a gas safety inspection?
At least every 12 months if gas appliances are provided.
How often should electrical inspections be carried out?
Normally every five years, or sooner if recommended by the inspector.
Who replaces smoke alarm batteries?
This depends on the type of alarm and your tenancy agreement. If an alarm stops working, you should report it to your landlord.
Can I remove a smoke alarm?
No.
Smoke alarms are an important safety feature and should never be disabled or removed.
What if my landlord ignores dangerous electrical problems?
Report the issue in writing. If there’s an immediate danger, contact your local council’s Private Sector Housing Team and avoid using affected electrical installations if it’s unsafe to do so.
Key Takeaways
- Every private tenant has the right to live in a safe home.
- Landlords are responsible for maintaining important safety standards throughout the tenancy.
- Report safety concerns as soon as you notice them.
- Test smoke alarms regularly and report faults immediately.
- Cooperate with reasonable requests for safety inspections.
- Contact your local council if serious safety hazards are ignored.
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