Representatives from across the public and private sectors are set to come together on 10 December to improve safety in private rented housing.

The Private Rented Sector Safety Shocks event, to be held in Westminster, will draw much needed attention to the poor conditions that are currently allowed to persist in a part of the housing market that’s home to over 9 million tenants.

It will also showcase a new industry-led solution, which provides the means to tackle this growing problem head-on, without necessarily increasing regulation.

The Home Safety Certificate, spearheaded by a Home Safety Sub-group of prominent industry forum the Electrical Safety Roundtable (ESR), is designed to save conscientious landlords time and help them ensure they have made the checks necessary to safely let their property.

Created by a group of industry stakeholders and chaired by NAPIT, the certificate brings together everything from gas and electrical safety checks to risk assessments for the prevention of legionnaires disease, as well as checks to confirm that working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are installed.

It takes a whole house approach; giving landlords a concise overview checklist to help them better meet their health and safety obligations.

Chairman of the Electrical Safety Roundtable Chris Bielby said: “Safety Shocks is a great opportunity for industry and Government to work together, and for interested organisations such as mortgage lenders, insurance providers and local authorities to understand and incentivise the use of the Home Safety Certificate.”

“Everyone knows that you need to take your car for an MOT each year but, as the majority of accidents occur in the home, it may surprise some to learn that a similarly rigorous regime of safety checks isn’t currently required for properties in the UK.”

NAPIT Group chief executive Michael Andrews said “From the start, NAPIT has been acutely aware of the risks posed by electrical hazards in the home and that, more often than not, our members find them in the private rented sector.

 “As an active member of the Electrical Safety Roundtable we’ve worked together with likeminded organisations to make life easier for those who want to do right by their tenants.

“This approach reflects the fact that ‘rogue landlords’ that wilfully subject their tenants to substandard conditions are in the minority. The most significant gains for the sector can therefore be made by making sure the conscientious majority are fully aware of their legal obligations. With the Home Safety Certificate, we’ve done just that, bringing together previously disparate safety requirements in one simple document.”

To find out more about the work of the Electrical Safety Roundtable and access the free Home Safety Certificate and guidance documents, visit: www.electricalsafetyroundtable.co.uk.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock/Andrey_Popov