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It is your landlords duty to ensure a minimum standard of safety. In a shared house you should have the following:
- Smoke detectors;
- Fire Extinguisher and a Fire Blanket in the Kitchen;
- Proper Fire Doors that ensure an internal escape route on each landing;
- Fire Retardant Furniture;
- Bathroom light switches should be chords or outside the bathroom;
- All gas appliances should be properly serviced on an annual basis. You should ask to see the certificate(s) before you move in;
If you feel that the safety precautions are inadequate we would advise that you first discuss the issues with the landlord and failing that you should approach your accommodation office if you are a student or you citizens advice bureau otherwise.
If you have gas
Gas and Carbon Monoxide poisoning have led to the deaths of a large number of students. Carbon Monoxide is particularly dangerous as it is colourless and odourless, making it very difficult to detect. You should regularly monitor your gas boiler for the following:
- Yellow or Orange flames (it should be blue);
- Yellow staining or soot on the appliance itself;
- Blocked Ventilation.
Make sure you always see the certificate when you move in and check the expiry date so you know when you should see the new one (they are only valid for 12 months). The early warning symptoms of poisoning include the following: flu-symptoms, aching limbs, nausea, and headaches. It has to be said that we are yet to work out the difference between this and the symptoms of a hangover. Unfortunately the consequences of Carbon Monoxide (death) are far more serious.
As a reminder, if you smell gas:
- Do NOT turn electric switches on or off;
- Do NOT smoke;
- Do NOT light any naked flames;
- Do turn off the gas at the meter;
- Do open doors and windows;
- Do call the emergency gas number on 0800 111 999.
Side note
If you have already come across our letting agent directory then you will know the diversity of agents that we can put you in touch with. We can not claim to have vetted each agent in detail, however our desire is to only include those that will behave in accordance with the good practice set out in this and our other articles. If you end up experiencing problems with one of the agents on our list, then please do not hesitate to tell us about it.
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