Safety and compliance

• The electrical system, including sockets and light fittings, must be safe, working and in reasonable condition.
• It must have a safety inspection by a registered electrician at least once every 5 years.
• The system must have a Residual Current Device (RCD), which switches the electricity off automatically if there is a fault.
• Appliances you supply, such as cookers and kettles, must be safe and regularly inspected.

• Any gas supply or equipment must be safely installed and maintained by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
• It must be working and in reasonable condition.
• It must be checked annually by a registered engineer.

• Interlinked smoke alarms in the living room and in every hallway and landing.
• A heat alarm in the kitchen.
• A carbon monoxide detector in every space with a carbon-fuelled appliance, such as a boiler or heater.
• Specialist smoke and fire alarms if you rent to tenants who are deaf or hard of hearing.

The official summary also says tenements must have emergency exit doors fitted, with locks that tenants can open from the inside without a key. The gov.scot fire and smoke alarm guidance has more detail on what each home needs.

You must assess the property for health risks associated with legionella. The Health and Safety Executive publishes guidance for landlords on how to do this.

The property must be free from damp and mould. If damp or mould is reported, inspect within 10 working days, send the tenant a written summary within 3 working days of finishing the inspection, and start repairs within 5 working days if it is substantial.

• Check whether you need a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licence.
• Make sure the property has a valid Energy Performance Certificate.
• If the property has a private water supply, further standards apply.
• Follow the rules for accessing the property when inspections or repairs are due.

This is our practical advice rather than a legal rule. Keep every certificate, inspection report and invoice in one place, with the date each check is next due. A simple calendar of renewal dates, set a few weeks early, avoids the scramble of a certificate lapsing mid-tenancy. Record when alarms were tested and when appliances were inspected, and keep a note of what you told the tenant and when.

• Electrical inspection by a registered electrician within the last 5 years; RCD fitted
• Supplied appliances checked and safe
• Annual gas safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer (if there is gas)
• Interlinked smoke alarms, kitchen heat alarm and carbon monoxide detectors in place
• Specialist alarms considered if a tenant is deaf or hard of hearing
• Legionella risk assessment done
• No damp or mould; a process ready for reports
• HMO licensing checked; valid EPC held
• Certificates filed with renewal dates in a calendar