Landlords have a responsibility to ensure that properties that they let out are safe and in a good state of repair. This page outlines the key issues that landlords need to be aware of but is not intended to be a definitive list of all required standards.
The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 requires landlords must ensure that their property, including any common parts of the building, is fit for human habitation at the beginning of the tenancy and throughout.
The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) is a national standard published by the Government for identifying hazards in homes.
Private sector landlords are required to have at least one smoke alarm installed on every storey of their properties and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room containing a solid fuel burning appliance (eg a coal fire, wood burning stove). After that, the landlord must make sure the alarms are in working order at the start of each new tenancy.
The Government has introduced a new minimum standard for energy efficiency in rented properties. From 1 April 2018, properties must have a minimum standard of EPC band E for new tenancies and renewals.