Healthy homes are becoming much more important to people, including those who are renting properties in the UK. In this blog, we’ll be answering the question, what is a healthy home and providing some simple tips and tricks to improve your space.
What is a healthy home?
A healthy home is one that promotes positive well-being. This could be through clean air, ensuring general safety and completing regular maintenance. All rental homes in the UK should be safe for tenants to reside in. It is often the landlord’s responsibility to ensure that their homes are safe.
Periodic inspections should be carried out while tenants are living in a property. This means that the letting agent can spot any issues and have them rectified before they turn into anything more serious. It also means that they can check the tenant is adhering to the rules and regulations outlined in the tenancy agreement.
How do landlords need to ensure safety in a rental property?
Landlords must ensure homes are safe before they are rented out to tenants. Here are some of the most important aspects that must be considered. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list. You should speak to your letting agent about property safety regulations.
- Gas safety
- Electrical safety
- Fire safety – ensure a clear fire escape plan
- Rectifying hazards
- Security measures
- EPC rating must be obtained
- Check smoke alarms and other detectors
- Ensure safe building materials
Additionally, landlords are required to protect tenant deposits under a government-approved tenancy deposit protection scheme.
Simple tips and tricks to promote a healthy home
Add more natural light
Having natural light in the home can have such a positive impact on health and well-being. You should consider adding large windows and even skylights to the home to maximise light. It can also be a good idea to consider the placement of the windows in the property, for example, taking advantage of sunny spots.
Temperature controls to reduce poor air quality
It’s so important that homes have adequate cooling and heating features. You need to ensure that all windows can be opened safely and that tenants are aware of when ventilation is necessary. Letting fresh air into the home is a great idea, but dehumidifiers can also be used to improve indoor air quality and reduce issues from high humidity levels.
A high-quality heating system is also useful for the colder months. Having a modern system in place can help to attract tenants as it means lower energy bills and a healthier home environment.
Considering the home’s aesthetic
The home’s general aesthetic can play an important role in how tenants feel when living in it. Consider looking into some calming colours, such as shades of blue. Many landlords also like to choose more neutral colours, such as whites and creams. This can also be favoured by tenants as they can use their own furniture to bring the area to life.
Furniture packages
Landlords offering furnished apartments and homes can often access higher rental payments, so it’s definitely worth considering. At Intus Lettings, we offer furniture packages with the following styles.
- Nordic
- Modern
- Urban
All of our prices include delivery, assembly, installation, removal and disposal of all packaging. We pride ourselves on making life easier for our landlords.
Quick tips for safety and better indoor air quality
- Reduce toxic/harmful chemicals to prevent indoor air pollution
- Look out for pests and dust mites
- Ask tenants to report any mould to keep the home healthy
Why should you create a healthy home?
There are so many important benefits of creating a healthy home. Here are just some of the benefits for landlords.
- You can access higher rents
- You can attract more reliable tenants
- You can save money in the long run
- You are protecting your investment
- You can improve indoor air quality
- You can improve overall health for tenants
We hope this blog has been helpful and answered the question, what is a healthy home? It’s so important to ensure a healthy environment, as it can improve mental health and support better energy efficiency. At Intus Lettings, we work closely with landlords to ensure that all safety regulations and compliance are met.
Are you interested in becoming a landlord? Contact us to see how we can help.
