🏡 The Hidden Dangers in Your Rental Property – And How to Fix Them Before They Cost You Thousands

As a landlord, it’s easy to assume your biggest risks are unpaid rent, the odd bit of wear and tear, or long void periods. But in reality, some of the most financially devastating issues are quietly lurking in your property—issues that don’t make noise until it’s too late.

These aren’t just minor maintenance niggles. They’re compliance blind spots that can put lives at risk, invalidate insurance, lead to legal action, or cost you tens of thousands in fines and repairs.

At Let Me Manchester, we manage loads of properties and have helped countless landlords dodge disasters by tightening up their compliance. And we’ve seen one consistent truth:

💡 The most expensive problems are usually the ones that were easily preventable.

That’s why we’ve put together this guide—to highlight the common (but often overlooked) dangers inside your rental property and show you how to fix them before they spiral into costly disasters.

🔥 1. Fire Safety – The Most Preventable Catastrophe

We recently attended a property where a chip pan caught fire. In the wrong circumstances, it could have gutted the kitchen and endangered everyone inside.

But in this case?
A fire blanket was on hand.
The tenant knew how to use it.
The result: the fire was out in seconds.

Damage: minimal. No one hurt. Just a bit of redecorating needed.

This is the kind of real-world scenario landlords don’t think will happen—until it does.

Minimum Fire Safety Must-Haves:

• Fire blanket in the kitchen
• Smoke alarms on each floor
• Heat alarm in the kitchen
• Fire doors in HMOs
• Accessible escape routes
• PAT-tested appliances (especially in furnished lets)
• Annual gas safety checks

Remember: water on oil fires = explosion.
Tenants often don’t know this. That’s why providing the right fire safety tools and information is essential.

⚡ 2. Electrical Safety – The Silent Threat

Electrical issues rarely announce themselves. Worn wiring, outdated consumer units, or overloaded sockets can smoulder away until one day they ignite.

What Landlords Often Miss:

• Out-of-date EICRs (Electrical Installation Condition Reports)
• Non-compliant consumer units (old fuse boxes)
• Overloaded extensions in HMOs
• DIY wiring jobs from previous owners or tenants

As of April 2021, all rented properties in England must have a valid EICR, updated every 5 years. Miss this, and:

• You can be fined up to £30,000
• Your insurance may be void
• You may be held liable if a tenant is injured

🦠 3. Legionella – Out of Sight, Not Out of Risk

Legionella bacteria thrive in stagnant water systems—like those in empty properties, old water tanks, or underused outlets.

Infections can lead to Legionnaires’ disease, which is a serious form of pneumonia.
If a tenant becomes ill and you haven’t done a risk assessment, you may be liable.

How to Stay Safe:

• Carry out a basic Legionella risk assessment (yes, you can often do this yourself if you’re competent)
• Run taps and flush toilets in void properties
• Keep hot water hot (60°C+) and cold water cold (under 20°C)
• Remove redundant pipework or tanks

🛠️ 4. Poor Workmanship – The “It’ll Do” Problem

We’ve lost count of the number of DIY disasters we’ve walked into:

• Boilers without valid flue access
• Fire doors propped open with wedges
• Shoddy repairs hidden behind fresh paint or wallpaper

These shortcuts may pass the “quick glance” test, but they won’t pass an HHSRS inspection or an insurance claim review. And they certainly don’t keep tenants safe.

If you’re not using qualified tradespeople and checking their work, you’re gambling with your asset.

🔍 5. “It’s Always Been Fine” Thinking – Until It Isn’t

Many landlords rely on what hasn’t gone wrong yet. But regulations change, and what was compliant 5 years ago may now be a liability.

We often hear:

“But no one’s ever said anything!”

That doesn’t mean it’s safe. It just means you’ve been lucky.

Examples of recent changes:

• Carbon monoxide alarms now required in any room with a solid fuel appliance (including log burners)
• EICR requirements extended to all tenancies
• Minimum EPC rating of E now mandatory—with rising targets expected in the coming years

Don’t wait for an enforcement notice or court letter to find out you’re behind the curve.

🧾 BONUS: Missing Paperwork = Missed Protection

Even if everything is installed and working, if it’s not documented, you’re still exposed.

You need:

• A valid Gas Safety Certificate (CP12)
• A valid EICR
• Smoke/CO alarm test records
• A clear inventory
• Signed How to Rent guide issued to tenants
• Proof of deposit protection
• EPC certificate
• HMO licence if required

Landlords often lose deposit disputes or legal challenges not because the issue wasn’t fixed—but because they didn’t have proof.

🚀 Want to Make Compliance Effortless?

We know you didn’t become a landlord to study fire regulations and electrical codes.

Let us handle that.

At Let Me Manchester, we:

• Carry out full compliance audits
• Manage all inspections and renewals
• Use only trusted, qualified contractors
• Provide 24/7 support for emergencies
• Keep you informed, compliant, and protected

No drama. No missed deadlines. No sleepless nights.

📞 Call us: 0161 850 1112
📧 Email us: ad***@***me.agency