A Landlord’s Guide to Security

From new regulations to choosing an alarm, here are some helpful tips for Landlords on keeping their property and tenants safe…

Over the years, we’ve met loads of different people, and it’s always great to meet Landlords who really care about safety of their tenants. Landlord regulations are evolving all the time, so we scoured the NRLA website (that’s the National Residential Landlord’s Association, if you didn’t know) for the best safety tips for Landlords…

Fire Safety

From October 2015 (that’s soon!) the law will require Landlords to install smoke alarms on every floor of their property, and test them at the start of every tenancy.

• Provide a fire blanket in the kitchen and a fully working fire extinguisher.
• Ensure there is an easy and safe way for tenants to escape in the means of a fire.
• Ensure that the area next to the cooker is free from flammable materials such as curtains around a window, or wall units.
• Ensure that fitted appliances and equipment that present a possible source of ignition should be correctly installed and maintained.

Appliances

With rented residential accommodation it is the Landlord’s responsibility to ensure that the electrical installation and appliances provided are safe when the tenancy begins and are in proper working order throughout the time that they’re staying there. At the start of the tenancy and throughout, both must be free of risk of injury to tenants and residents. Visual checks are important to make sure the appliance and its plugs and its lead have not been damaged and are in a good condition.

Security Measures

When you install a security system, you’re not only keeping your tenant safe, you’re also keeping your property and investment safe. Here are a few things you can do to protect them.

• Install five lever mortice lock for external timber doors or a three multi-point locking system for PVC-u external doors.
• Install night lights and spy holes – they’re little things that make a big difference.
• Ensure doors fit properly into their frame and are free from damage.
• Install a high standard security system  – burglars can tell a DIY job a mile off and on another note, the Police only respond to registered alarms.

If you’re the Landlord of either residential or business properties, get in touch to see how we can help with fire and security systems.