Blind Safety in Rental Properties

In the UK, blinds sold after February 2014 must meet the child safety standards. This is known as the 2014 Blind Cord Safety Regulations. These safety laws apply to residential properties, (even if there are no children living there), schools, restaurants, and commercial premises.

The law states that blinds must either have no accessible cords, (particularly looped cords, as this poses a strangulation risk) or they must be supplied with child safety devices, which must be fitted as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Warning notices must also be supplied at the point of sale in store, or with the online purchase, to ensure that customers are aware of the potential child safety hazards.

It is important to check your existing blind – particularly if it was purchased before 31^st March 2014, as earlier blinds may not be compliant to child safety standards.

What type of safety device should I be using?

The child safety devices fall into the following categories, which are all acceptable devices:

1. Safety chain break – splits the chain loop apart, should a child become strangled in the loop.
2. Chain tensioning device – keeps the chain / cord loops under continuous tension and secures them to the wall, preventing the cord or chain from forming a loop.
3. Breakaway cord connector – Releases cords safely when sideways pressure is applied.
4. Breakaway clips (roman blinds) – Allow rear cords to safely detach should a child become entangled.
5. Cleats – Secure loose cords to the wall out of reach of young children.
6. Anti-tangle toggles – Used to prevent the two cords that tilt a metal or wooden venetian blind from forming a knot. Although the cords may wrap around together, the design of the toggle will allow them to unravel in the event of entanglement.

What if the current blind does not comply with child safety standards?

If you are worried about the current blind – particularly if it was purchased prior to 31^st March 2014, it can either be replaced with a new one, for peace of mind that it complies with child safety laws, or it can simply modified with a blind cleat attached to the wall with the spare cord wrapped around. A blind cleat is a tensioner that should be fixed to an adjoining surface to keep the cord held tightly, no less than 1.5 metres from the floor and as near to the headrail as possible. (This height is reduced to 60cm if a breakaway device is fitted).

Cords should be fastened in a figure of eight after every use, ensuring all spare cord is secured on the cleat.

For blinds with a chain, these can be improved with a device called a “P” clip, which stops the chain from hanging loose, while still allowing the blind to operate freely.

Furniture should be moved away from the windows, to prevent children climbing. This includes tables, sofas, chairs, highchairs, beds, and playpens.

It is important to also be aware that any small parts can cause a child to choke if swallowed, so do make sure these are secured and out of child’s reach.

Is a tenant responsible for the blind safety device if it gets damaged?

Providing a landlord has installed devices that are in perfect working order prior to a tenant moving in, the tenant must look after them and replace any damages – this applies to anything belonging to the rental property, unless specifically exempted by clauses and provisions of the lease agreement.

Can Proptech help with monitoring blind cord safety?

Proptech can play a vital part in rental property safety checks – providing you opt for the most suitable software to manage this correctly. The many Proptech software options out there may be overwhelming, so be sure to research properly. KPR’s expert software offers reliable automated scheduling and reminders for monitoring safety, with regular testing. It can also schedule reminders and dates with set checklists for consistency and ease, ensuring you are always fully covered – a small price to pay for such an invaluable outcome.

Tenants can also benefit from KPR’s Tenant Portal containing all information, including instruction manuals and help sheets, and to report any safety issues in their rental property using an exclusive QR code.

At KPR we understand the ever-changing demands of the industry and strive to address the issues agents and property owners face.

We have our own in-house development team with knowledge on modem technology and methodologies, which keep KPR software current, and always focusing on the next level.

If you would like to find out how KPR can help you and your business, feel free to speak with our helpful team today!

0208 542 2333

hello@kpr.global