Government pledges to keep renters safe
Mary-Anne Bowring 29/10/2018
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Government Review of Health & Safety in Rental Properties
On Friday, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government announced a “wide-ranging review” of health & safety in the private rented sector. This review is long overdue, as the existing regulations haven’t been updated for over a decade. While local councils already have the authority to take action against landlords who fail to maintain their properties, closer scrutiny of rented homes will help ensure better living conditions for tenants.
Addressing Sub-Standard Rental Accommodation
The government has acknowledged that a minority of landlords rent out unsafe, sub-standard properties, and this must change. Unfortunately, a few bad landlords can tarnish the reputation of the entire sector. We hope this review will help protect tenants from poor-quality housing and lead to stricter enforcement against those who neglect their responsibilities.
Establishing Minimum Health & Safety Standards
One potential outcome of this review could be the introduction of minimum standards for common health & safety issues in rental properties. If this happens, it would be a significant step forward for tenant safety and well-being. Ensuring that all rental properties meet basic safety standards should be a priority for both landlords and the government.
The Importance of Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Another key issue under review is whether all landlords should be required to install carbon monoxide alarms. Currently, alarms are only mandatory in homes with solid fuel appliances, such as log burners. However, this limitation ignores the wider risks of carbon monoxide exposure, which can arise in various rental properties.
The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide poisoning is a serious issue in the UK, causing approximately 50 deaths and 4,000 medical visits annually, according to the Department of Health. Around 1% of households—equating to 250,000 homes—are exposed to high carbon monoxide levels each year. Symptoms range from headaches and dizziness to life-threatening conditions, making it essential to take preventive action.
A Simple Step to Save Lives
A blanket requirement for carbon monoxide alarms in all rental homes could save lives. In the meantime, we strongly advise our tenants to invest in an alarm. They are affordable, widely available from retailers such as Argos and Amazon, and offer essential protection against this silent killer. Why take the risk when a simple device can provide peace of mind?
Planetrent Properties
info@planetrent.co.uk
0208 0599 550 (for sales)
Under Offer: This term applies to a property where the landlord is considering an offer but remains on the market. It implies that further offers may still be considered until the landlord formally accepts or declines the current offer.
Let Agreed: This term indicates that a landlord has provisionally agreed to enter into a rental agreement with a prospective tenant, pending additional checks and referencing. It doesn't require the prospective tenant to have paid a holding deposit.
Let: This term signifies an established binding rental agreement between the landlord and tenant.
For both lettings and sales, the guidance addresses additional terms:
New On The Market: This term is used for a property not advertised since its last sale or rental. It should only be used for a brief period.
New Instruction: It applies to a property assigned to an agent for marketing recently, even if it was previously listed with another agent without being sold or rented.
New and Exclusive: This term refers to a property that is either new on the market or a new instruction, exclusively available through a specific agent or portal.
New Method of Sale/Let: This term is used when a property is being marketed for sale or rent using an alternative approach to the original advertisement, such as transitioning to an auction or sealed bid.
Reduced: This term indicates that a property's price has recently been reduced. The reduction should be genuine and comply with the Chartered Trading Standards Institute's guidelines on pricing practices.