As a landlord, it is your responsibility to look after your tenants’ health when it comes to gas safety. You should ensure that all gas pipework and appliances are well maintained and repaired when necessary.
Take a look at the information below so that you can schedule in checks throughout the year to ensure your tenants’ safety.
Landlords are required to check gas appliances, fittings and flues under The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (2004 in Northern Ireland). You will need to have a check carried out by a Gas Safe Registered engineer within the first 12 months of having a gas appliance installed in the property, with annual checks carried out every year following that date.
You should also keep evidence of your safety check for two years and give it to your tenants within 28 days of the check. New tenants to your property should receive a copy of the check before they move in. Make sure that you keep a record that you have shown your tenants this information by collecting their signature in a space on the check record.
When you put your gas safety plan together, ensure that you can easily make changes to accommodate any updates to The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (2004 in Northern Ireland).
Take a look at these steps as to what you should do for your properties:
- Schedule in regular maintenance checks for gas appliances, pipes and filters with a certified engineer.
- Know the signs of a potentially unsafe appliance. It is illegal for anyone to use a faulty gas appliance, and it should be turned off as soon as possible.
- Supply your tenants with a CO alarm that complies with British Standard EN 50291 and has the mark to prove so.
In case of a suspected gas leak, advise your tenants to take the following steps:
- Open all doors and windows to allow built-up gas to escape.
- Shut off the gas using the control valve.
- Call the National Grid’s Gas Emergency Freephone number (0800 111 999)
Advise your tenants to take the following steps to improve gas safety:
- Include them on gas safety checks and encourage them to interact with the gas safety engineer so that they can understand the signs of a gas problem.
- Show them the gas ventilation systems and instruct them that they should remain unblocked at all times.
- Inform your tenants that only Gas Safe registered engineers can carry out investigations or repairs on gas appliances.
Source: Zywave Inc – Risk Insights Property Management: Gas Safety at Your Residential Property
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