Creative Green Energy Services for Landlords
The BBSA (British Blind and Shutter Association) urges all Landlords of homes and publicly accessible buildings to ensure that any cords or chains of window blinds in their properties are not hazardous to babies and small children, the duty of care that landlords have is to their tenants and to any visitor to the property.
The standards for window blinds to improve the safety of new blinds changed in February 2014. Whilst no standard is ever retrospective Landlords have obligations to ensure that their properties are safe.
When considering new blinds for a property always consider a blind which is Safe by Design first. A blind which is Safe by Design is one that is cordless or has concealed or tensioned cords. Typically these blinds are pushed or pulled into position.
⚒There are other blind styles but these must have safety devices installed and working to ensure they are compliant.
⚒Existing blinds can be made safer by fitting appropriate safety devices and ensuring tenants are fully aware of how to operate the blinds safely.
⚒Any blinds which are installed with cords and chains have to be installed with breakaway connectors, cord and chain safety retainers or cleats and the cords and chains have to be maintained at a minimum 1.5 metres from the floor level and secured with a complaint safety device. Without this device the blind is not compliant, even if the chain is 150cms or more off the floor.
⚒Low Level Blinds – If the installation height of the blind is less than or around 150cms from the floor then an operating chain with a maximum loop of 20cms can be used. Although the bottom loop of the chain will be closer than the allowed 150cms, the 20cm maximum size loop is deemed to have removed the hazard.
⚒If you are buying new blinds to fit in your property, make sure they are ‘safe by design’ or have the appropriate safety devices included.
⚒If your tenant fits their own blinds make sure they know to follow the safety guidance for the safe installation of blinds. Give them a copy of the safety information with the tenancy agreement.
Download these informative leaflets: https://www.makeitsafe.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Surveyor-Installer-Guide-for-Trade.pdf; https://bbsa.org.uk/uploads/categories_539_56ba18deb87a0.pdf
The regulating body is Trading Standards.
Sources: https://bbsa.org.uk and https://www.makeitsafe.org.uk
