The leading organisation for the private rented sector today issued some seasonal advice to help tenants avoid the Christmas misery that can be caused by frozen pipes, weather damage or burglary.

And the Residential Landlords Association, whose members control £1.2billion worth of property and more than 30,000 tenancies across the UK , has come up with some top tips to help millions of people enjoy a very Merry Christmas and an even Happier New Year.

The association hopes it will help clarify exactly what tenants and landlords are individually responsible for in an emergency.

Top tips for tenants include responsibility to:

· Make sure you have emergency procedures in place and ensure your landlord provides a telephone number to call if anything goes wrong.

· Know where the water and gas stop taps are in the property as well as the electricity mains switch. Your landlord will be able to provide instructions you can act upon quickly if storm damage, a flood or any other emergency occurs.

· Tenants should try to opt for a house or ground floor apartment with a burglar alarm already fitted and in good working order. More than 80 per cent of burglaries occur to properties without alarms.

· Whenever you leave the property lock all doors, windows and put the alarm on.

· Leave a radio on, make sure the curtains are open and closed at relevant times and leave a light on at night to make the property look occupied if you are out.

· Check all security measures are in good working order and inform your landlord if they are not. It is in his interest to safeguard the property and prevent burglary too.

· Ensure you insure your own belongings with a house contents insurance policy as your landlord cannot. If there is a break in contact the police immediately and make sure you get a crime number from them. The landlord must be informed.

· Inform you landlord if you are to be away from the property for longer than seven days. In the event of an emergency he will be better informed to take appropriate action on your behalf.

The Residential Landlords Association has almost 1,000 members and operates a strict code of practice. Anyone who applies to join must meet rigorous criteria and provide references.

The association, based in Sale, Manchester, provides members with simple tenancy agreement contracts which carry the prestigious Crystal Mark awarded by the Plain English Campaign as well as offering a host of other membership benefits including training courses and an advice hotline.

Tenants can find homes available from accredited landlords through their website homes2rent.net or contact the RLA through rla.org.uk or by telephoning 0161 962 0010.

ENDS December 2000