Moving into the rented property is on a par with moving into a property you have bought. You have managed to go through some of the nightmares of getting the right property, getting through the red tape and paperwork as well as the whole moving in process.

To then make sure you have peace of mind when you move in is vital. Landlords are expected under common law to make sure the property they are providing you with is safe. Gas and electricity are the landlords responsibility to make sure that all of the appliances are safe.

By law the gas appliances need to be checked by a CORGI regulated company every 12 months. A record will need to be kept of the inspection dates, defects identified, and any neccessary action needed undertaken immediately. You should be given a copy of this record by the landlord. If they refuse to give you a copy of the inspection record, you could contact the local office of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which has a duty to enforce the safety requirements.

All furnishings provided by the landlord must be fire resistant. Also, the building regulations require that all properties built after June 1992 must have a mains operated inter-connected smoke alarm fitted on every level of the property. Older properties do not have to comply to this, however most landlords are willing to provide at least battery operated smoke alarm.