STUDENTS are being warned not to ignore potential safety issues with rented properties as they choose accommodation ahead of the new university year.

The UK trade body for the oil heating industry, OFTEC, is offering students a five-point safety guide that includes the legal requirements landlords should follow, to help them choose a safe place to live:

- The property must have a smoke alarm on each floor and furniture should be fire safety tested. Carbon monoxide (CO) alarms are mandatory in rooms where solid fuel is used, such as a fireplace. CO alarms are also recommended in other rooms which have a heating appliance.

- Landlords must ensure there is unblocked access to a fire escape route at all times.

- All electrical appliances including light fittings, kettles and TVs must be safe to use. It is also a good idea to check they work correctly.

- For gas, landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer conduct a gas safety inspection every year, so ask to see the certificate. If on oil, check the boiler and tank have recently been inspected by an OFTEC registered technician.

- Inspect the property for signs of damp or mould which can potentially cause health problems. In an attempt to rent the property, landlords may try to paint over patches to cover up the problem.

Malcolm Farrow, from OFTEC, said: "With limited housing available, our advice is not to feel under pressure to take anything you can get. Always speak with the landlord about safety to prevent problems further down the line and remember, they have legal requirements they must follow."

For further advice and information, visit www.oilave.org.uk