As a landlord, you are responsible for the safety of your tenants. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 deal with landlords’ duties to make sure gas appliances, fittings and flues provided for tenants are safe.

You are responsible for the maintenance and repair of flues, appliances and pipework provided for your tenants use by a Gas Safe Registered Engineer. Although there is no prescribed timeframe for these duties, good practice would be the demonstration of regular, annual maintenance checks and subsequent repairs. Our engineers are registered with Gas Safe and are on hand to provide this service.

You are also responsible for ensuring an annual gas safety check is carried out within 12 months of the installation of a new appliance or flue which you provide and annually thereafter by a Gas Safe Registered engineer. You must keep a record of the safety check for 2 years and issue a copy to each existing tenant within 28 days of the check being completed and issue a copy to any new tenants before they move in.

If you are a private landlord renting to tenants, it is always advisable to abide by the above and ensure that you are having the right checks and maintenance carried out as dictated by the law. Failure to do so can result in up to £6,000 worth of fines,  six months in prison invalid insurance and court action. Most importantly if a tenant succumbs to fatal harm as a result of a faulty gas appliance system, you could also face manslaughter charges.

The Health and Safety executive provide further guidance and answers to FAQ: http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/faqlandlord.htm

Give us a call to carry out your Gas Safe certification, boiler service and safety checks.