Following last week’s announcement by the Welsh government that it plans to introduce new regulations to combat carbon monoxide poisoning, here are a few tips to help landlords ensure that their dwelling is fit for human habitation.

The advice from Energy UK provides simple steps you can take to make sure you and your tenants stay safe from carbon monoxide poisoning this winter:

+ Buy and install an inexpensive carbon monoxide alarm – you can get them from DIY stores, high street shops and online – just make sure you check for the safety marks;

+ Like a fire alarm, check it regularly and make sure the batteries are working;

+ Just like your car, it’s important to have your gas appliances, like your boiler and cooker, serviced regularly;

+ If you’re renting your landlord must ensure this done for you every year by a Gas Safe Registered engineer;

+ Be aware of the symptoms of CO poisoning – which included headaches, nausea and dizziness and similar to a common cold or the flu; and

+ And finally make sure you have good ventilation from fires and stoves and if you have a chimney make sure it is swept once a year.