Safety in the property

By law you must:

1 )  Ensure installation pipe work, appliances and flues provided for tenants are maintained in a safe condition

2 )  Ensure an annual safety check is carried out on each appliance and/or flue that you provide for tenants use

3 )  Ensure maintenance and annual safety checks are carried out by a CORGI registered installer

4 )  Keep a record of each safety check for 2 years

5 )  Issue a copy of the safety check to each existing tenant within 28 days of check being completed and to any new tenant before they move in

6 )  Ensure all gas equipment (including any appliance left by a previous tenant) is safe or otherwise removed before re-letting

7 )  If a managing agent is used to help the landlord in meeting their duties, make sure that the management contract clearly specifies who is to make arrangements for maintenance and safety checks to be carried out and for keeping records. However, the landlord maintains overall responsibility for ensuring duties are met, irrespective of whether a managing agent is employed

8 )  Ensure that anyone carrying out work on gas appliances/fittings and/or flues provided for tenants use has the required competence and that only CORGI registered installers are used

 

A leaflet explaining some of the main requirements of landlords, under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, is available from HSE.

In 2005/06 16 people died from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning caused by gas appliances and flues which had not been properly installed or maintained.

Many others also suffered ill health. When gas does not burn properly, as with other fuels such as coal, wood or oil, excess CO is produced which is poisonous.

You can't see it, taste it or smell it but CO can kill without warning in just a matter of hours.

This website contains information gas consumers need to know in order to manage gas appliances/equipment safely and tells you what to do in an emergency. It also provides advice for landlords, and letting agents on how to comply with the law.