Residential property safety checklist

If you’re responsible for accommodation which is let out as living space, there are various health and safety considerations. Our checklist will help you with your on-site checks.

Using the document

Many people think that domestic premises are exempt from health and safety requirements, but that isn’t the case. Even an owner occupier has a duty to take reasonable care for the safety of others visiting their premises, but once it becomes a commercial venture, there are additional responsibilities. This applies, for example, to estate agents and housing associations, landlords, businesses offering staff accommodation and those managing holiday lettings.

A good first step is to carry out a systematic review of health and safety issues, follow up your findings and keep a record to show what you’ve done. Using our Residential Property Safety Checklist will provide a defence, if, despite your best efforts, there is an accident.

The form covers: fire precautions; gas, oil and solid fuel; electricity; falls from height; asbestos; legionella and other water hazards; slips and trips; chemicals; moulds; and hazards affecting children.

Use the document for a periodic thorough check of each premises. Answer “yes”, “no” or “N/A” to each question. To leave a comment tick the box marked “F/I” and then put your notes in the section headed “Further information”.

Keep your completed forms as a record to show what was checked and when.

Note. Whilst much of the content is straightforward, the section on asbestos may be difficult for those without experience. You may need to obtain specialist advice and seek out asbestos awareness training in order to properly answer this part of the document.