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Learn
Your Gas Safety for
Landlords and
Other Housing Quality Standards PART 2
If you own
or manage rental properties, it's crucial you know your gas safety for
landlords and other important housing quality standards. If you want to
avoid running
into possible problems with your tenants and the local housing
authorities, read on for this Part
2 of our complete Guide to Housing Codes and Rental
Standards.
Do you know
what are the fire and electricity safety standards for your rental
property? If No, Click here for Part 1 of this
Housing Quality Standards Guide.
What
are the Gas Safety Standards and Codes that You Should Know?
Most areas
have strict laws regarding the gas safety for landlords
because of the possible risk of carbon monoxide poisoning resulting
from gas
leaks.
Depending on the country that you live in, you may be required by the
law to conduct a gas safety check of your rental property
every year. It's also a good idea to keep a written record of all your
gas safety checks and pass a copy to any new tenant who is moving in.
When you are refitting any gas pipe lines and appliances, always make
sure
that everything is properly sealed. In some areas, you are required to
hire a licensed contractor to carry out
any gas repair or maintenance works.
If you are checking for gas safety for landlords, watch out for any gas
appliances that are damaged or removed by your tenants. If your
property has a fire place, check for any signs of excessive sooting and
yellowing around it. Finally ensure that your gas appliances are well
ventilated in case of any leaks.
What
are the Important Health and Safety Housing Quality Standards?
Most areas
will restrict the number of permanent tenants you are
allowed to have in order to prevent overcrowding. This limit is usually
decided by the size of your rental property (in square feet or square
meters). If your tenant has any occupants staying with him, he has to
seek your permission first.
For the health of your tenants, you will need to make sure your
property is free from pest infestation. While the occasional housefly
and cockroach is a small matter, most authorities will take action if
you have rats or termites over-running your property.
If you own a larger rental real estate such as a multi-storey complex
for several families, it's your responsibility to ensure that the
common areas such as corridors and hallways are well-lit at all times.
Your stairs should also be fitted with handrails and free from cracks
to prevent any nasty falls.
What
Can Happen to You if You Break Your Health and Safety Codes?
If your rental property does not pass the local
housing quality standards for
health and safety, you can land yourself in hot soup.
If your tenant informs your of any serious property damage and
you choose to ignore him, he can launch a complaint with the local
housing authorities. Some countries often conduct random home
inspections for subsidized and lower class housing to weed
out slumlords.
The punishment for breaching your housing quality standards can vary
wildly
depending on the strictness of your landlord tenant laws, the
seriousness
of the breach and whether you are a first time or repeat offender.
If you're in luck, a verbal warning is all that you will have to endure. For serious cases, you may be slapped with a
fine and made to pay for your tenant's alternative housing while you
get your rental property up to shape.
Want to learn MORE practical must-know facts to
maintain your rental property?
Return from
this Gas Safety for Landlords page to our Property Landlord Rental Repairs
guide
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