HEALTH AND SAFETY
Legionella
Domestic hot and cold water systems can provide an environment where Legionella bacteria can grow.
This can cause Legionnaires’ Disease which is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia caused by inhalation of small droplets of contaminated water containing Legionella bacteria.
Legally, it is your landlord’s responsibility to take precautions to prevent Legionella being present in the hot or cold water system but tenants and residents also have an important part to play in taking simple and practical precautions to prevent Legionella.
This advice sheet gives tips for residents of rented domestic accommodation such as houses, bungalows and flats in small blocks.
Most importantly, make sure that:
Hot water in the system remains hot;
Cold water is kept cold;
The water is kept circulated.
In particular, it is important that you –
Do not interfere with the settings on your boiler or hot water system. The hot water should be set so that the water is heated up to 60°.
Tell your landlord if:
The cold water is still running warm after you have initially run off any water which may have accumulated in the pipes. The cold water should not be above 20°.
There are any problems, debris or discolouration in the water.
The boiler or hot water tank are not working properly, particularly if the water is not coming out of the taps at a sufficiently high temperature. It should come out at a temperature of 50° after it has run for a minute at the latest.
Where showers are fitted –
If they are used only occasionally then flush them through by running them for at least two minutes every week. Keep out of the way whilst this is being done as far as possible.
Clean, descale and disinfect the showerhead regularly. This should be done at least quarterly.
Leaving the property unoccupied
Where a property is left unoccupied, for example because of a holiday or visiting family outside of term time, both hot and cold water systems need to be flushed before using them again. This should be done by running all outlets for at least 2 minutes.
ELECTRICAL
What the regulations say:
Private landlords must ensure every electrical installation in their residential premises is inspected and tested at intervals of no more than 5 years by a qualified and competent person.
The regulations apply in England to all new specified tenancies from 1 July 2020 and all existing specified tenancies from 1 April 2021. 'New specified tenancies' is any tenancy created on or after 1 June 2020.
Following the inspection and testing, a private landlord must:
-obtain a report from the person conducting that inspection and test, which gives the results of the inspection and test and the date of the next inspection and test
-supply a copy of that report to each existing tenant of the residential premises within 28 days of the inspection and test
-supply a copy of that report to the local housing authority within 7 days of receiving a request in writing for it from that authority
-retain a copy of that report until the next inspection and test is due and supply a copy to the person carrying out the next inspection and test
-supply a copy of the most recent report to any new tenant of the specified tenancy to which the report relates before that tenant occupies those premises; and any prospective tenant within 28 days of receiving a request in writing for it from that prospective tenant.
Landlord recommendations that could save your life:
These are eight of the most dangerous electrical hazards that can be observed in a home:
AND
GAS
Your landlord must:
-make sure gas equipment they supply is safely installed and maintained by a Gas Safe registered engineer
-have a registered engineer do an annual gas safety check on each appliance and flue
-give you a copy of the gas safety check record before you move in, or within 28 days of the check
If gas appliances, such as ovens, cookers and boilers, are not properly installed and maintained, there is a danger of fire, explosion, gas leaks and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. We have your cooker and boiler checked every year, but also residents needs to take precautions.
Tenants- What to Do If You Have a Natural Gas Leak in Your Home
-Make sure that the carbon monoxide is in good working order, and batteries are charged.
Knowing what to do in a gas leak is as important as being able to recognize the signs and symptoms of a leak. If you suspect you’re dealing with a gas leak, take the following steps:
What NOT to Do When You Suspect a Leak
Knowing what not to do in a gas leak situation is just as important as knowing what to do. If you suspect your home has a gas leak, there are steps you definitely should not take:
Fire safety
Your landlord must:
-follow safety regulations
-provide a smoke alarm on each storey and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a solid fuel burning appliance (for example a coal fire or wood burning stove)
-check you have access to escape routes at all times
-make sure the furniture and furnishings they supply are fire safe
-provide fire alarms and extinguishers if the property is a large house in multiple occupation (HMO)
Tenants:
Did you know…?
You’re around 8 times more likely to die in a fire if you do not have a working smoke alarm in your home.
Around half of home fires are caused by cooking accidents.
Two fires a day are started by candles.
Every six days someone dies from a fire caused by a cigarette.
About three fires a day are started by heaters.
Faulty electrics (appliances, wiring and overloaded sockets) cause around 4,000 fires in the home across the country every year.
The easiest way to protect your home and family from fire is with working smoke alarms. Get them. Install them. Test them. They could save your life.