Safety issues - Housing Advice NI

Safety issues

This section looks at safety in private rented housing. It covers fire safety, gas and electricity supplies. It explains the protection you may have if you are a private tenant.

Fire safety

Most tenants who are concerned about a lack of fire precautions or escape routes have few rights. The only way to deal with a problem over fire precautions is to negotiate with your landlord. However, if you live in a house in multiple occupation (HMO) this is different. A HMO is a house or flat that is occupied by more than one household. For example:

a house split into separate bedsits
a house let as lodgings
a shared house or flat
a hostel
a bed and breakfast hotel which is not just for holidays

It is not always easy to work out whether you live in a HMO. The rules about HMOs can be very complicated. If you're not sure get advice.

If you live in a HMO there are laws about fire safety . If your landlord breaks the law s/he could be prosecuted by the environmental health department of your local council.

HMOs must have:

fire alarms, especially in your kitchen
fire extinguishers on every floor
fire blankets in every kitchen
fire doors
fire escapes and fire escape routes
smoke or heat alarms

These must be adequate for:

the number of people living in the property
the size of the property

They must also be well maintained.

Gas safety

All private landlords have to make sure the gas supply and appliances are safe . If the gas appliances in your home are unsafe you could be at risk of:

fire
explosion
carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon monoxide gas is invisible and has no smell. It is very poisonous and can kill.

Your landlord doesn't have to install carbon monoxide detectors, but you can ask your landlord to provide them. It may be worthwhile fitting them yourself if your landlord does not provide these items.

Gas safety inspections

Every place that has gas must have a valid CORGI gas safety certificate. Gas safety certificates can only be given by CORGI registered gas engineers and are valid for 12 months. If the gas engineer notices any problems the landlord has to fix them. Landlords must keep copies of the certificate and keep records of any works carried out. You can ask for a copy when you move in.

If a landlord fails to do this or fails to provide a gas safety certificate it is a criminal offence. The Health and Safety Executive can prosecute your landlord. Your landlord could be fined or even imprisoned.

Tenant responsibilities

You must not use appliances that you know or suspect are unsafe. If there is a gas leak you may be able to prevent any further escapes of gas by turning off the gas supply. Report any gas leaks to the gas supplier immediately.

The gas emergency number is 0800 111 999. The gas supplier will disconnect the gas supply or appliance if it is unsafe because the risk is too great.

Electrical safety

There are no laws that specifically cover electrical safety in private rented accommodation. However if Northern Ireland Electricity believes that the electricity at your property is unsafe it can disconnect the electrical supply.

Any electrical equipment provided by your landlord should be safe. However, your landlord doesn't have to get a safety certificate. The environmental health department at your local council may be able to prosecute your landlord if s/he provides unsafe electrical equipment.

Furniture

The furniture in furnished accommodation must be fire resistant. This applies to all new furniture provided after 1 March 1993 even if your tenancy started before 1993. Contact the environmental health department of your local council if your landlord provides furniture that isn't fire resistant.

Minimising the risk

There are things that you can do to minimise risks to you in your home. These include:

report problems to your landlord immediately
make sure that smoke alarms are fitted and in working order
use carbon monoxide detectors
plan what to do in case of fire and be aware of all escape routes
make sure that exit routes are clear
keep electrical and gas appliances in good condition and report any faults to your landlord
ask your landlord to give you a copy of the gas safety certificate
contact the gas supplier immediately if you suspect there is a gas leak