A landlord has been sentenced after failing to ensure gas safety checks were carried out at a rented property in Wirral.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that property owner Adam Evans failed to have annual safety checks carried out for a period of eight years.
The house was occupied by a tenant who lived with her five children.
HSE began its investigation in October 2024 after receiving a concern from Wirral council.
The woman had lived at the property since 2016 and reported that no annual gas safety checks had been carried out during her tenancy.
Following enquiries, HSE requested copies of gas safety records from Evans.
He provided a certificate dated November 2024 that had been completed following the concern, but was unable to supply any records covering the previous eight years.
The sentencing comes after the HSE issued a warning to the public recently amid a surge in prosecutions against those carrying out illegal gas work.
Evans pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 36(3) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. He was fined £2,400 and ordered to pay £5,000 in costs at Wirral Magistrates’ Court.
An HSE spokesperson says: “Evans showed a complete disregard for the law and put the lives of a mother and her children at risk.
“The case highlights a serious failure by him to comply with well-established gas safety requirements.
“Annual gas safety checks are a legal duty and are in place to protect tenants from very real and potentially fatal risks.
“Landlords must ensure that gas appliances and flues are properly maintained and inspected by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Failure to do so will not be tolerated and enforcement action will be taken.”
