x
By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies to enhance your experience.
Written by Emma Lunn

A landlord from Torquay illegally carried out annual gas safety checks at his properties despite not being a registered gas engineer, a court has heard.

Raymond Williams potentially put his tenants’ lives at risk by carrying out the statutory safety checks himself between April 2013 and October 2014. He also fraudulently filled out landlord’s gas safety documents using a fake Gas Safe Register number.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Williams at Torquay Magistrates’ Court last week after his work was investigated following a complaint from one of his tenants.

The court heard that Williams carried out his own safety checks at five properties in Torquay and one in Newton Abbott. The checks should only have been carried out by a registered Gas Safe engineer to ensure the highest standards are met.

Williams, of Armada Crescent, Torquay, pleaded guilty to four breaches of gas safety legislation and was fined a total of £12,000 and ordered to pay £418 in costs.

HSE Inspector Simon Jones said: “Mr Williams should never have carried out any gas safety checks as he was neither competent nor registered to do so. He then compounded these offences by fraudulently filling out gas safety documents.

“Landlords must ensure checks are carried out by registered Gas Safe engineers who are independent and competent to do the work. Such checks are vital to protect tenants from death or injury caused by potentially dangerous gas appliances.”

Russell Krӓmer, chief executive at Gas Safe Register, said: “Landlords have a responsibility to make sure their tenants are safe when it comes to gas. In addition, tenants have a right to make sure their landlord gets all their gas appliances safety checked by a registered gas engineer every year.

“Tenants and landlords can check that the gas engineer carrying out the work is registered by checking their Gas Safe ID card. Always ask to see this card and check their unique licence number with Gas Safe Register before letting them work on your gas appliances.”


 

Comments

  • icon

    Case in point as to why people should not meddle with things they know nothing about.

    This guy should get an agent as he is obviously unaware of his legal obligations and a fool to boot.

    • 23 March 2015 10:36 AM
  • icon

    This just highlights the we want everything for nothing culture of the Industry. A Gas Safety Cost around £50!!

    • 23 March 2015 09:33 AM
MovePal MovePal MovePal