Barnsley Standards

You can apply to join Barnsley Landlord Accreditation Scheme by completing the application form however you must agree to work to a code of management and meet certain housing standards. These standards are related to single let properties however if you have a house in multiple occupation (HMO), landlords will need to refer to the Council’s amenity standards for HMOs. This gives reassurance to your current and prospective tenants that you are a responsible landlord. Barnsley Standards include:

Property

  • The property must be structurally stable and free from disrepair
  • There must be no hazards identified from a HHSRS inspection
  • If the property is furnished, all furnishings must be clean and comply with Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations?
  • The property must be clean and decorated to a good standard along with the garden areas being maintained
  • There must be adequate waste disposal facilities
  • All the appliances must be in working order with instructions provided
  • A legionella risk assessment must be completed
  • The external areas (gardens, yards, driveways) of the property must be maintained and in a good condition

Gas Safety

  • All gas installations must comply with current regulations and checked annually
  • A copy of the Gas Safety Certificate must be provided to the tenant

Electrical Safety

  • All electrics installations must comply with current regulations and checked in accordance with the certificate
  • A copy of the Electrical Safety Certificate must be provided to the tenant
  • The property must have minimum electrical socket outlets
    •   Hall, stairs & landing: 1 single (subject to size and practicability)
    •   Living room: 3 double
    •   Kitchen: 3 double above worktop plus 1 dedicated for fridge/fridge/freezer, 1 dedicated for washing machine (where applicable) & 1 dedicated for cooker (where applicable)
    •   Bedrooms: 2 double (single) & 3 double (double)

Heating

  • The whole house must be able to be heated to between 18oC & 22oC
  • The tenants must be able to control the heating

Energy Efficiency

  • The property must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with a rating of A-E

Kitchen Facilities

  • The property must have:
    •   A sink, drainer and cleanable splash back
    •   A cooker isolation point
    •   Worktops at least 100cm x 50cm
    •   Dry food storage cupboards
    •   Space for a fridge freezer and washing machine
    •   There must be working mechanical ventilation

Bathroom Facilities

  • The property must have:
    •   An internal WC for the exclusive use of tenants
    •   A fixed bath or shower and wash basin with hot and cold water and splash back
    •   An effective drainage system for foul, waste and surface water
    •   There must be working mechanical ventilation

Doors & Windows

  • The external doors must be watertight and fitted with a 5-lever lock or equivalent
  • Windows lower than 80cm from floor level must be fitted with safety glass

Lighting

  • Each room must have at least 1 permanent light fitting
  • The property must have a working external security light

Ventilation

  • The property must have adequate ventilation to all rooms either through openable windows, trickle vents, permanent wall vents or mechanical ventilation
  • The property must have working mechanical ventilation in kitchens and bathrooms

Fire Protection

  • The property must have mains wired interlinked smoke detectors with at least 1 smoke detector per storey

Carbon Monoxide Protection

  • If the property has a solid fuel appliance the property must have a carbon monoxide alarm fitted in each room where a solid fuel appliance is located
  • The property must have a carbon monoxide alarm fitted where the gas boiler is located

Stairs & Handrails

  • The property must have handrails fitted to all internal & external staircases, including the cellar