A Tenant’s Guide to Childproofing a Rented Property

More people with children are now living in rental accommodation, which can present some challenges for tenants (and landlords). Parents are responsible for providing a hazard-free, safe environment for their family, but when they live in a rented home, the landlord also bears some of the responsibility.

Tenants are usually not permitted to do modifications or repairs themselves. However, while the landlord is responsible for ensuring the property is free from health hazards and safe to live in, the tenant must also monitor the condition of the property and inform the landlord should any issues arise.

For this reason, it’s imperative for tenants to maintain a positive relationship with their landlord or property management company in Plymouth. The team at Plymouth Homes Lettings are experts in the rental market in Plymouth and are highly experienced in managing rental properties with tenant families.

That’s why we’re bringing you our top tips today to help you find childproofing solutions that you can try independently and how to approach your landlord about any serious hazards that you encounter.

Serious Issues That Affect Rental Properties

One common problem encountered in rental properties is dampness and mould, which can harm children’s health. Mould must be treated quickly, and if any maintenance or repairs are necessary to remedy the problem, the landlord must be contacted.

As a tenant, you should ensure your home is properly ventilated at all times and avoid drying your laundry indoors. If you believe your property may have a serious issue, such as rising damp or penetrating damp, you must inform your landlord. Sometimes, it’s possible to alleviate the problem by filling any holes in the property’s exterior and resealing the doors and windows.

Some other potentially serious problems that you could encounter as a tenant include exposed wiring, unsafe sockets and gas leaks. If you notice any of these issues, it’s important to contact your landlord immediately. Take photographs as evidence to prove the problem exists. Make sure you’ve checked the property’s gas safety certificate to ensure it isn’t more than 12 months old, and test and check your carbon monoxide and smoke alarms each week to ensure they’re in full working order.

Independent Childproofing Measures

There are also several things you can do in your rented property to keep your little ones safe. If any power sockets are within children’s reach, cover them with childproof covers. Buy childproof locks for the cupboards too. These won’t cause any lasting damage but will help prevent curious fingers from accessing anything they shouldn’t.

Ensure that all potentially dangerous materials like cleaning solutions and matches are kept out of children’s reach or in a locked cupboard to avoid any problems. If your rental property has stairs, you can fit pop-in stairgates that don’t require screwing into the walls, and you can tie up long cords and loops on window blinds, so they’re away from children’s reach.

How To Negotiate With Your Landlord

If you have safety concerns about any aspect of your property that you cannot address yourself, it’s important to approach your landlord. Some possible issues that you may notice include sharp corners, rough edges, and sticking nails that could cause tears and cuts.

Since you can’t expect children to act safely around these obstructions, your landlord needs to take action to fix them and make them safe. Talk to your landlord as quickly as possible about your concerns. If you intend to make changes, ensure you’ve got the landlord’s approval.

Should your landlord refuse to improve the property’s safety, note down the various problem areas and contact the council. Their Environmental Health department can inspect the property and issue a fine and improvement notice to the landlord.


If you’re looking for a safe, child-friendly property to rent in Plymouth, get in touch with the team here at Plymouth Homes Lettings on 01752 514500 option 2, or visit our website at https://www.plymouthhomes.co.uk/ to see properties to let in Plymouth.