Health and safety in Council Homes
Health and safety obligations to which the Council, as your landlord, must comply.
As a tenant, it's important to be aware of your rights and Rotherham Council’s obligations regarding the safety and maintenance of your home.
Below, you will find a summary of how we meet the main legal obligations and regulatory requirements.
1. Asbestos Safety
- We ensure the safe management of asbestos in properties in compliance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
2. Alarm Systems
- We install and maintain smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in accordance with the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022.
3. Electrical Safety
- We conduct checks to electrical wiring every 5 years. This is carried out by a suitably qualified person who will provide proof of the safety checks to the tenant, as required by the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020.
- We follow the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 to prevent injury from electrical work activities.
- We adhere to the BS5266-1:2016 Code of Practice for emergency lighting.
4. Fire Safety
- We perform risk assessments to manage and reduce fire risks, complying with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
- We uphold our responsibilities for safety in multi-occupied buildings, including cladding and balconies, as per the Fire Safety Act 2021.
- We implement recommendations from the Grenfell Tower inquiry, following the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022.
- We document and manage safety risks in buildings, as mandated by the Building Safety Act 2022.
5. Gas Safety
- We conduct annual checks of gas appliances by a qualified person and provide proof to tenants, in compliance with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
6. Lift Safety
- We ensure the safety of passenger lifts in accordance with the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER).
7. Solid Fuel Appliance Safety
- We follow best practices for biomass and solid fuel heating appliances, as advised by the Heating Equipment Testing and Approvals Scheme (HETAS).
8. Water Hygiene
- We control legionella bacteria in water systems, adhering to the Approved Code of Practice L8.
