Landlords are all a GAS t’ when it comes to safety
When it comes to letting out property, and I have let out 100’s over the last 30 years both as a Letting Agent and Landlord, it never ceases to amaze me that when you go to let out a property on a Let only basis, and ask for a current Gas certificate from the Landlord you either get a stony silence or the proverbial “AH!”
Putting aside all the other legislation that a professional agent has to remember, GAS SAFETY should come right at the top of the list.
Rent arrears can be often solved, along with damage. However, it is very difficult to resurrect a corpse!
According to the HSE, four people died and 117 fell ill as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning at home in the year to June 2010.
In real terms I guess you might not feel that is many. UNTIL, it happens in YOUR tenanted property, and the full weight of the law comes crashing down on you.
Ha! it will never happen…………..well it happened in 117 of cases.
Follow these simply rules to avoid it happening to you.
- Landlords need an annual Gas Safety Certificate each year by law for all gas appliances; this includes boilers, gas cookers and gas fires.
- Landlords need to use a Gas Safe registered engineer to fit, fix and check gas appliances in rental properties – it’s the law and will help keep tenants safe.
- Landlords and tenants are advised to see an engineer’s Gas Safe ID card and check the back of the card to ensure they are qualified to carry out the specific type of gas work.
- Find a Gas Safe registered engineer in your area or call the free helpline on 0800 408 5500
- Recognise the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning – headaches, dizziness, nausea, breathlessness, collapse and loss of consciousness.
- Check gas appliances for warning signs that they are not working properly e.g. lazy yellow flames instead of crisp blue ones, black marks or stains on or around the appliance and too much condensation in the room.
- Landlords are advise to install a carbon monoxide alarm and locate it near to any gas appliances in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidance. Carbon monoxide can leak from appliances and kill.
- Landlords and tenants should only use gas appliances for their intended purpose e.g. don’t use a gas oven to heat a room or use a gas barbeque inside the house.
- Landlords and tenants should always ensure there is enough ventilation for the gas appliances to allow them to burn correctly and make sure they are not blocking any air vents that provide an air supply to the gas appliance.
- Anybody working with gas has to be Gas Safe registered by law. Report someone working without registration or call Gas Safe Register on the free phone number 0800 408 5500
