More than six in ten (61%) tenants could be at risk from faulty gas fittings and appliances because landlords are failing to carry out required annual gas safety checks, according to flat and house-share website SpareRoom.co.uk
Its latest survey of UK tenants revealed that 37% are now renting properties that have out-of-date gas safety certificates – up from 34% two years ago.
More than a quarter (26%) of tenants had never seen a gas safety check carried out while they had been renting the property – up from 22% in 2011 – while one in 10 (11%) said the last gas safety check, which must be completed annually, was carried out more than 12 months ago.
An additional 24% of tenants surveyed were not aware that a gas safety check had been carried out in the last 12 months but could not be certain either way.
Matt Hutchinson, director of SpareRoom, said: “Landlords have legal obligations to carry out annual gas safety checks but it seems awareness is slipping.
“The current boom in buy-to-let has exacerbated the problem. While most professional landlords know the rules and are diligent in getting checks carried out, many amateur landlords may not even realise they need a certificate.
“It’s crucial that those thinking of letting properties or rooms get to grips with their responsibilities as landlords, and keep up to speed with any regulatory changes.
“Too many landlords are clearly forgetting their responsibilities once tenants are in place.”
The website surveyed a total of 1,850 tenants.
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