Rules & regulations

Even if we're not managing your property we want ensure that you understand any laws that you are obliged to adhere to. We'll send you a document explaining these in detail.

Energy Performance Certificate

• From 1 October 2008, an EPC was required whenever a building in the social or private rented sectors is let to a new tenant. An EPC is carried out by an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor to ensure it meets all legal requirements and is valid for 10 years.
• Landlords must provide an EPC free of charge to prospective tenants at the earliest opportunity and must provide a copy of the EPC to the tenant who agrees to rent the property. The purpose of the EPC is to show prospective tenants the energy performance of the dwelling they are considering renting.
• EPC's are valid for 10 years and can be reused as many times as required within that period. It is not necessary to commission a new EPC each time there is a change of tenant.

The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998

• Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1994 and later amendment, it's the landlord’s responsibility to make sure all gas appliances (boilers, cookers and gas fires) are maintained in good order and checked for safety every 12 months by an engineer registered with Gas Safe.
• Landlords are now obliged to provide tenants a copy of the safety check report within 28 days of it being carried out. The regulations also state that you must retain the safety check report for two years. All gas appliances in properties let by Fish need water must be checked for safety before a tenancy begins and must be rechecked annually.

The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994

• Under the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994, landlords are responsible for making sure all electrical appliances are safe for use. To comply with these regulations, all electrical appliances in the property should be regularly checked and serviced.

The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1998

• Ensure that any furniture and furnishings that the landlord has supplied meets the fire resistance requirements unless they are renting the property on a temporary basis whilst for example, working away from home.
• This applies to domestic items which contain upholstery including beds, headboards, mattresses, sofa-beds, nursery furniture, garden furniture which can be used indoors, furniture in new caravans, scatter cushions, seat pads, pillows and loose and stretch covers for furniture.

Smoke alarms

• All properties built since June 1992 must have smoke alarms fitted on every floor. Although it's not a requirement for older properties, fish need water recommend that smoke alarms are fitted in all tenanted properties.