HMO property safety guidance

Gas safety

Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1996 landlords who rent property must arrange an annual inspection of all gas equipment in the property like gas fires, cookers and hobs. You must also give the tenants of the property a copy of the inspection report within 28 days of the equipment being inspected. Find a registered gas safety engineer using the Gas Safe Register website. 

It is important to note that portable LPG heaters must not be used in HMO licensed properties because they are a high risk fire hazard. 

Visit the Health and Safety Executive website for landlords and letting agents to make sure you know about all of your gas safety responsibilities. If you are not compliant with your gas safety duties your tenants can lodge a complaint with the Health and Safety Executive about you.

Electrical safety

All appliances you provide your tenants must be safe and in good repair, suitable for their intended purpose and only used for the intended purpose. You must arrange an electrical safety inspection or Portable Appliance Test (PAT) every three years for the appliances or sooner if you have new tenants.

You must make sure hard wired electrics in an HMO property are safe. A qualified electrician can carry out a Periodic Electrical Installation Report (PIR) to let you know if your property is safe or if you need minor work or new circuits installed.