Make sure your property complies with safety standards
By law, all landlords must comply with gas and furniture safety regulations.
But both Derby City Council and High Peak Borough Council also run voluntary codes of practice for student occupied properties.
Always ask to see the certificate if a landlord says his property is approved by the council. Or you can contact the council to check that the property is currently registered.
- Contact Derby City Council
- Contact High Peak Borough Council
- Our approved properties meet all these safety standards
- mains smoke alarm
- fire blanket and fire extinguisher in the kitchen
Remember that if a property isn't approved by us we won't have checked whether it's safe.
Don't accept any property without a valid Gas Safety Certificate
By law your landlord must have all his gas appliances checked every year by a Gas Safe registered installer.
If gas appliances aren't properly maintained, they can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be fatal.
Ideally there should be a carbon monoxide detector in every room that has a gas fire.
Make sure your property complies with fire safety regulations
All the furniture and furnishings that are provided in your rented property must comply with fire safety regulations.
This includes beds, mattresses, sofas, easy chairs, and curtains - check the labels to make sure that they are fire retardant.
Ideally there should also be a:
And if you live in a house with more than five people, make sure that the property meets HIMO standards - these are extra standards for fire and structural safety for houses that are let to several people.
It's best to check the electrical safety of your property too
Check whether your property has a valid electrical wiring and electrical installation certificate from a National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) qualified electrician.
Be wary of accommodation offered on postcards and posters
You'll often see these around the University. These properties won't be registered or checked in any way and may not meet legislation or council minimum safety standards.
Try to avoid these properties.
