Safety Regulations Guide

At Sab Estate Agent, we are committed to ensuring that rental properties meet current legal safety requirements and compliance standards.

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Gas Safety

Under current legal requirements, all gas appliances and installations provided within a rental property must be checked annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

A valid Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) must be provided to tenants within the required legal timeframe and retained for record purposes.

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To ensure compliance, a copy of the current Gas Safety Certificate must be provided before the start of the tenancy.

Where instructed as managing agent, Sab Estate Agent may arrange gas safety inspections on the landlord’s behalf at the landlord’s expense.

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Electrical Safety​

Landlords are legally required to ensure that electrical installations within rental properties are safe throughout the tenancy.

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A valid Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) must be in place before a tenancy begins and inspections must be carried out at least every five years by a qualified electrician.

A copy of the most recent EICR must be provided to tenants in accordance with current regulations.

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Where remedial works or further investigations are identified within the report, these must be completed within the legally required timeframe, normally within 28 days, in accordance with British Standard BS7671.

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Sab Estate Agent can assist in arranging electrical inspections where required.

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Electrical Appliances & PAT Testing

Landlords are responsible for ensuring that any electrical appliances supplied within the property are safe for use.

Although Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) is not generally a legal requirement for standard residential tenancies, it is considered good practice and may be required under certain licensing schemes or property types.

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Sab Estate Agent recommends regular PAT testing of supplied appliances to help maintain safety standards.

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Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Landlords are legally required to ensure:

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• At least one smoke alarm is installed on every storey of the property used as living accommodation

• A carbon monoxide alarm is installed in any room containing a fixed combustion appliance, excluding gas cookers

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Alarms must be tested and confirmed to be in working order at the start of each tenancy.

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Furniture & Furnishings Fire Safety

Under the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988, it is a criminal offence to supply upholstered furniture or soft furnishings that do not comply with current fire safety standards.

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This applies to items including:

• Beds

• Mattresses

• Sofas

• Armchairs

• Cushions

• Other upholstered furnishings

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Any non-compliant items must be removed from the property before the tenancy begins.

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Energy Performance Certificates (EPC)

Landlords are legally required to provide a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) before a property is marketed for rent.

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Most rental properties must achieve a minimum EPC rating of E, unless a valid exemption applies.

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Compliance Support

Sab Estate Agent can assist landlords with arranging safety inspections and compliance documentation where instructed.

We are committed to helping landlords meet their legal obligations and maintain safe, compliant rental properties.