Private renting

The property should be safe for you to live in. The landlord should make sure your home is free from any serious risks as listed in the Housing Health and Safety Rating System.

The gas installation and appliances should be checked annually for their safety. The landlord must provide you with a copy of the test report, often referred to as the 'gas safety check. Read more about the Landlords' responsibility for gas safety.

If you have any concerns regarding the safety of a gas installation or appliance, contact Gas Safe. To make sure that gas appliances such as boilers, fires, ovens and hobs are installed, maintained and serviced safely,  your landlord must use a Gas Safe registered engineer to carry out the work. All registered engineers are listed on the Gas Safe website or call 0800 408 5500 and one of the advisors will be pleased to help you find a local engineer who is on the Gas Safe Register.

Any soft furnishings supplied with your home must follow fire safety laws. Check for labels to confirm the safety of the furniture.

The electricity supply should be safe. Following changes to the law in July 2020, all privately rented houses need to have an electrical installation condition report (EICR) carried out every five years. All electrical work carried out in homes must be carried out by proper workmen qualified to do the work.  Further information can be found on the Government's website.

If you live in a house in multiple occupation your landlord may also have to test all portable electrical appliances provided in the common areas and put in fire detection and warning systems. For further information visit the Health and Safety Executive website.

West Midlands Fire Service has published an interactive website to help people spot fire-related dangers in the home.