If you are a landlord, then you’ll know there are many safety measures and precautions that you need to take to ensure the safety of your tenants.
One of the most important duties of a landlord is providing appropriate, high-quality safety equipment. Here are a few of the critical things that you should supply to your rental properties.
Smoke Alarm
Smoke alarms are essential for keeping your tenants safe in the event of a fire, as well as being a legal requirement. You should ensure that there is a smoke alarm on every storey of a domestic rental property. This should be in good working order and must be checked by you at the end and beginning of each tenancy.
Once a tenant has moved into your property, it is their responsibility to replace batteries, but it remains the landlord’s responsibility to repair or replace a smoke alarm that is not working correctly.
Carbon Monoxide Alarm
Carbon monoxide alarms are a legal requirement, just like smoke alarms. These should be placed in any room that houses a fuel-burning appliance, such as the boiler or a wood-burning fire.
Carbon monoxide alarms are essential because of the serious dangers that carbon monoxide leaks present to anyone living in a property. Carbon monoxide is scentless and can quickly cause drowsiness and other side effects that are potentially fatal.
Fuse Box
If your property contains a fuse box, you should ensure that it is in good working order. If your fuse box is getting on in years, then it may be a good idea to consult an electrician about having it and the property’s wiring updated.
If you are responsible for multiple properties with fuse box consumer units, then you might consider finding a reputable wholesaler that you could buy dependable, high-quality domestic consumer units from. Check out these FuseBox consumer units from Expert Electrical for an idea of the quality and range you should look for in a wholesaler.
It is worth keeping in mind that any fuse box consumer unit should always be installed by a professional electrician, who has the experience and expertise to comply with electrical safety laws.
Burglar Alarm
While burglar alarms are not a legal requirement for rental properties, they are essential safety equipment in many tenants’ eyes. You could consider installing one to provide tenants with extra security or to attract prospective renters.
You should ensure that any burglar alarm is installed safely and properly working, and provide tenants with the instructions and manual. You can safely install some burglar alarms yourself, though for others, or if you are unsure, you should contact a professional to install it for you.
Fire Extinguisher
Not all rental properties need a fire extinguisher by law, but if you are renting out a multiple occupancy house, then an extinguisher is a legal requirement on each floor of the property. You should purchase your fire extinguishers from reputable vendors.
You can also provide fire extinguishers and fire blankets to any property you rent, as an extra precaution and protection for your tenants.
