Landlord Alert - Agents’ advice on gas safety responsibilities

Propertymark says that this, the 12th edition of Gas Safety Week, is an ideal opportunity for landlords to make sure they understand their legal obligations.

The agents’ trade body says landlords should ensure:

- gas pipework, appliances and flues provided for tenants are maintained in a safe condition;

- all gas appliances and flues provided for tenants’ use have an annual safety check. Tenants can report landlords to the Health and Safety Executive for not providing one;

- Gas Safety Record is provided to the tenant within 28 days of completing the check or to any new tenant before they move in;

- keep a copy of the Gas Safety Record until two further checks have taken place;

- maintenance and annual safety checks are carried out by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer;

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

Propertymark reminds landlords that poorly maintained gas appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions, and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Meanwhile carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that has no smell or taste. Breathing it in can make you unwell, and it can kill if you're exposed to high levels, like those emitted from a gas safety leak in a home.

Nathan Emerson, chief executive of Propertymark, comments: “We understand the importance of education when it comes to gas safety and by spreading this vital information especially to agents and landlords, we can limit the devastating impact that unsafe appliances can have.”

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