Property Safety Services in Reading
ChecksSorted does not carry out property safety checks itself. We are starting in Reading and, where we can, pass your enquiry to a participating independent professional, who gives the quote and does the work. Fill in the quote form with the service and the property's postcode to start.
Request a quoteWhich property safety services can I arrange in Reading?
You can arrange these five services, and each has its own page for Reading:
Our services page compares them in one place →Do I need an HMO licence in Reading?
It depends, and the council decides. The council's licensing page states "From 1 March 2026 an additional licensing scheme is in force across the whole borough." It adds that this "requires the landlords of 3-4 person HMOs that are not already subject to mandatory licensing to apply for a licence." and notes "Designations have not yet been made for the selective licensing schemes". Ask the council whether your property needs a licence.
What do landlords in Reading need to know?
A landlord in Reading needs a yearly gas safety check, an EICR every 5 years and smoke detection on each storey, as Reading Borough Council sets out, and an EPC, which its EPC page covers. For shared areas of flats, GOV.UK adds a fire risk assessment. The table shows each check and where the wording comes from:
| Check | What it says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Gas safety | A registered engineer does an annual gas safety check on each appliance and flue, and tenants get a copy of the record before they move in or within 28 days of the check. | Council safety responsibilities |
| Electrical safety | An EICR every 5 years, available to the tenant. | Council safety responsibilities |
| Fire alarms | Smoke detection must be present on each storey of any rented property. The council says that is not enough for an HMO, where an alarm system will quickly alert occupants to a fire that starts anywhere in the property. | Council safety responsibilities |
| Energy performance | A landlord must commission and obtain an EPC unless one is already available. A property rated F or G must be brought up to E, or £3500 spent on suitable improvements to qualify for an exemption. | Council EPC |
| Shared areas of flats and business premises | The responsible person must carry out a fire risk assessment of the premises and review it regularly. | GOV.UK fire safety |
What is Reading's housing like?
Reading has more rented homes and flats than the England average. In the 2021 Census In the 2021 Census (tenure and accommodation type tables), ... tables), 21,623 of the 67,683 households in Reading (31.9%) were private rented, against 20.5% in England, and 34,133 (50.4%) were owned. The accommodation type table counts 18,210 households (26.9%) in a purpose-built block of flats or tenement, against 17.1% in England.
How to get a quote in Reading
You get a quote in Reading by sending one enquiry through ChecksSorted, in four steps:
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Tell us what you need
Choose the property safety service required.
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Tell us where
Enter the property postcode and relevant details.
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We match your enquiry
ChecksSorted identifies an appropriate participating professional covering the service and location.
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Discuss the job
The professional contacts you about availability, price and the work required.
Frequently asked questions
Who is responsible for a fire risk assessment in a Reading block of flats?
For common or shared areas, the responsible person is the landlord, freeholder or managing agent. GOV.UK states. That person must carry out a fire risk assessment of the premises and review it regularly. The fire risk assessments page lists things to consider such as emergency routes and exits, fire detection and warning systems and fire fighting equipment.
How often does a landlord in Reading need a gas safety check?
Every year. A gas safety check must be done on each gas appliance and flue every year, HSE notes. For an HMO licence, the council asks for a current landlord's gas safety certificate prepared by a Gas Safe registered engineer, but only where there is a gas supply.
Do I need a fire alarm certificate for an HMO licence in Reading?
It depends on the system. For a mains-powered automatic fire detection system with a control panel, the council asks for a test certificate from a competent engineer dated within the past 12 months, showing the system was tested to BS 5839 and is in satisfactory condition. Without a control panel, a new system needs an installation certificate from a competent person, and an older one needs a test certificate from a competent engineer or a self-certification that the system has been serviced and is in proper working order.
How long does an EICR last for a rented home in Reading?
At least every 5 years. Landlords must have the electrical installations in their rented properties inspected and tested by that interval, according to GOV.UK. Reading Borough Council's safety page says landlords should carry out an electrical installation condition report (EICR) every 5 years and make it available to the tenant.
Does a rented property in Reading need an EPC?
Yes. The council states that a landlord must commission and obtain an EPC from a registered assessor unless one is already available. A property rated F or G must be brought up to an E rating, or £3500 spent on suitable improvements to qualify for an exemption.
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