Q. I am looking to rent a property within the district.
Does the Council run a property accreditation scheme for rented
accommodation?
A. Yes. The Accreditation scheme is Bath & North East
Somerset Council’s seal of approval for properties that meet
current housing standards and which are safe for people to live in.
Prior to accrediting a property we look to see that the property is
fit for human habitation, has safe gas and electrical
installations, has adequate fire precautions, has adequate
amenities for the number of people living there and finally, that
it is well managed. If the property is accredited the landlord will
be able to produce a valid property accreditation certificate.
For further information please contact Housing Services on 01225
396287.
Q. I live in a flat, a bedsit or a shared house. Are
there any rules concerning the fire precautions that should be
present?
A. Properties that have been converted into flats or bedsits and
some types of shared houses are termed houses in multiple
occupation. These should have adequate fire precautions installed.
Depending upon the size and type of HMO this may range from simple
smoke alarms and extinguishers to complex automatic fire detection
systems supplemented with emergency lighting.
Please see the fire safety web page for further
information. We therefore strongly recommend
that prior to carrying out any fire precautions work, for example
installing alarms or fire doors you contact Housing Services on
01225 396736 for free and detailed specific advice.
Q. I am a landlord and would like to know if there are
any rules or regulations concerning the condition of the property
that I rent out?
A. Yes. If you rent out a property there are certain statutory
obligations on you relating to the condition of the property and
the fixtures. The following list, while not exhaustive, gives an
overview of the main areas.
Good Repair – If the tenancy arose after 24 October 1961, and is
for less than 7 years, then you as landlord have repairing
obligations. You have a duty to keep the outside and structure in
good repair. You must also keep in good repair the equipment in the
property used for the supply of water, gas and electricity as well
as the basins, sinks, baths and toilets.
Gas Safety Regulations – It is a legal requirement that gas
appliances in rented properties are checked annually by a CORGI
registered installer. For further information on this please use
the link below.
Furniture & Furnishings – All furniture & furnishings,
such as beds, mattresses, headboards, chairs and sofas must comply
with the Fire & Furnishings Fire Safety Regulations. Furniture
made since March 1990 will comply and also carry a label that
states "carelessness causes fire". Furniture made before this date
will not comply.
Fire Precautions – If your property is a flat, bedsit or a
shared house then it is likely to be defined as a House in Multiple
Occupation (HMO). All HMOs should have adequate fire precautions
installed. Depending upon the size and type of HMO this may range
from simple smoke alarms and extinguishers to complex automatic
fire detection systems supplemented with emergency lighting.
Please see the fire safety webpage for further
information. We therefore strongly recommend that
prior to carrying out any fire precautions work, for example
installing alarms or fire doors you contact Housing
Services 01225 396736 for free and
detailed specific advice.
Q. I am a landlord and would like to know more about the
Council’s Property Accreditation Scheme.
A. The Accreditation scheme is Bath & North East Somerset
Council’s seal of approval for properties that meet current housing
standards and which are safe for people to live in. Prior to
accrediting a property we look to see that the property is fit for
human habitation, has safe gas and electrical installations, has
adequate fire precautions, has adequate amenities for the number of
people living there and finally, that it is well managed.
Benefits of the scheme:
- improves your letting prospects, particularly to high quality
tenants
- gives you confidence that your property is safe for the people
who live there
- provides you with a certificate to display in the property
- sometimes grants are made available only to accredited
landlords. We currently have two such schemes in operation, one for
fire precautions and the other for security work
- its a free service!
For further information please contact Housing Services on 01225
396287.
