Unless you have a managing agent, as a landlord, you are responsible for making sure all furniture supplied in a rental property complies with The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. This stipulates how fire-resistant furniture should be.
Since 1st Jan 1997, all future and furnishings in a rented property has to meet all fire resistance requirements.
Items included in legislation:
- Beds, headboards or beds and mattresses
- Sofa-beds, futon and other convertibles
- Nursery furniture
- Garden furniture which is suitable for use in the dwelling
- Scatter cushions and seat pads
- Pillows
- Loose stretch covers furniture
Items excluded:
- Furniture made before 1950
- Bedclothes including duvets
- Loose covers for mattresses
- Pillow cases
- Curtains
- Carpets
- Seeping bags
How to comply
All furniture and furnishings included above must comply with the regulations and with the exceptions of mattresses, divans and bed bases must include a permanent label stating that they conform. Labelling for mattresses, divans and bed bases are covered by BS 7177.
Furniture which does not have a permanent label should be assumed not to comply.
Supplying furniture and furnishings which are prohibited by the regulations is an offence under the Consumer Protection Act 1987.
Labels for furniture:
Labels for mattresses, divans and bed bases:
References
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1988/1324/contents/made
https://www.firesafe.org.uk/furniture-and-furnishings-fire-safety-regulations-19881989-and-1993/
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