Backing for industry-led change to safeguard tenants has climbed to new heights following the success of Private Rented Sector Safety Shocks.
The milestone Westminster event was held on 10 December to showcase and promote debate on a new, groundbreaking home safety certificate and package of supporting guidance.
Developed by a sub-group of influential industry forum the Electrical Safety Roundtable (ESR), the certificate brings together everything from legal requirements on gas and electrical safety checks as well as confirmation of working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to a legionella risk assessment, falls prevention checklist and more.
Commenting on the event, MP and co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group Barry Sheerman said: “Safety in the private rented sector is an issue that affects the lives of millions of tenants across the country. It is vital for Government and industry to move forward together and this event represents a promising step along that road.”
Chair of the Home Safety Sub-Group of the Electrical Safety Roundtable, Charlotte Lee said: “It was fantastic to see such a great turnout. The support we received stands testament to the importance of the Home Safety Certificate in safeguarding tenants and empowering landlords to make informed choices.”
Commenting on the certificates, Jane Guaschi from insurer Direct Line for Business said: “Representing a unique resource that will enable landlords to demonstrate the safety of their property more comprehensively than ever before, the certificate is an interesting prospect for insurers across the country. Direct Line for Business will be working closely with the ESR to explore the full potential of the documents as a means to positively incentivise safer homes.”
Ashley Martin of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) noted: “The Home Safety Certificate produced by the ESR brings important safety obligations together for the first time, offering landlords a valuable new point of reference. We are particularly pleased to see that the certificate allows risk assessments for a significant range of factors to be recorded, including trip hazards and the presence of blind cord safety devices, as part of a whole-house solution.”
Chris Town of the Residential Landlords Association (RLA) commented: “By making life easier for the conscientious majority of landlords, the Home Safety Certificate is a great way to improve safety without increasing regulation. This is really good news for landlords, who can now benefit from a clearer understanding of their obligations, without being subjected to unnecessary red tape – an approach that complements RLA’s Safe and Secure House campaign.”
Representatives of over 40 prominent organisations attended the Private Rented Sector Safety Shocks event to progress an industry-led solution for an area of the housing market where a third of properties fail to meet the government’s Decent Homes Standard.[1] This concept received support from: LABC, ARLA, Savills, JELF, NAPIT, Ombudsman Services, Propertychecklists.co.uk, and EcoSurv among others.