As students prepare for the New Year househunting season, the Residential Landlords Association has issued a warning to check houses for the Big Three safety hazards.

“Watch out for dodgy gas appliances and electricity wiring … and damp,” says Chairman, Chris Town.

“These are the main sources of safety hazards in the older style properties that tend to be let for student accommodation.

“And there are still a few rogue ‘cowboys’ out there who charge serious rents for sub-standard properties. It’s as much in our interests, as it is for tenants, to rid the private rented sector of the undesirable element who often tar all of us with their brush.”

“Many others, of course, act out of ignorance – which is why the Residential Landlords Association supplies specialist training in tenancy management to raise levels of professionalism among landlords and provide additional protection for tenants.

“And the RLA – whose members own over 100,000 private rented properties throughout the UK – supports local authority and university accreditation schemes. If students don’t feel comfortable with the standard of the property and the landlord they should give both a very wide berth.”

The top three safety tips are:

1. Make sure you see the Gas Safety Certificate. If there isn’t one, DON’T move in. The landlord will be acting illegally - and defective gas appliances can kill.
2. Be wary of dodgy-looking electrical wiring. Most key domestic electrical jobs now have to be inspected and approved by the local authority so, if things look suspect, ask to see an electrical certificate. The Residential Landlords Association recommends a full test every 10 year and many landlords consider it good practice every five years – so, if in doubt, stand your ground.
3. Don’t even consider a property that appears to have damp. That can cause all sorts of health hazards.

But it doesn’t end there. The RLA offers a further 8-point guide to successful househunting. Tenants should make sure they …

1. Get a written receipt for the deposit.
2. Agree a detailed and dated inventory that can be supported with photographs showing the condition of the property when they move in (and its garden if there is one).
3. Sign a proper tenancy agreement – preferably one with a “Plain English” Crystal mark. This means that the agreement is written in a clear way that everyone can understand.  A sample is available on www.tenantdocs.co.uk and www.rla.org.uk
4. If repairs are necessary, agree a written list – with completion dates for the work. It’s possible to allow work to be done by tenants, themselves, and an agreed cost deducted from future rent.
5. Make a note of gas, electric and water meter readings when occupation begins.
6. Take out personal insurance cover to safeguard belongings from theft and damage.
7. Get written permission from the landlord for any pets you may intend to keep. (It is quite normal to be asked for another two weeks’ deposit to cover any possible damage as well as requesting payment for two flea treatments - one when a tenant leaves and another, three months later, to catch hatching larvae.)
8. Arrange for the landlord to be present when you move out – otherwise additional problems may be ‘discovered’ afterwards.