As a landlord, you have a duty to protect the property as well as the tenants living in it at any given time. While there are many factors to consider, the gas safety elements are probably your greatest responsibility. After all, you can never be too careful when dealing with gas appliances.
Let WeFix talk you through the good, the bad, and the ugly so that you’ll know exactly what to expect as a landlord.
The Good
UK laws regarding rental properties are very clear, and there are ultimately three areas that every landlord should concentrate on. These are;
Maintenance: The covers appliances, pipework, flues, and chimneys. All appliances should be serviced annually – unless stated otherwise in the manufacturer’s
guide. However, you are not responsible for appliances owned by the tenants.
Gas Safety: Gas safety checks must be conducted annually and can take place between 10-12 months. It’s imperative that they are carried out by a fully qualified Gas Safety engineer. Again, you are not held responsible for tenant-owned appliances.
Record: Gas Safety Certificates should be provided to new tenants when they start their agreements and existing tenants with 28 days of the safety check taking place. Documents should be stored for two years.
Furthermore, since replacing CORGI in 2009, the Gas Safe Register makes every aspect a lot clearer for everyone involved – not least you, the landlord.
The Bad
It’s very easy to forget about the gas safety, especially when you don’t live in the property. Moreover, it can be difficult for you to notice the problems, meaning you’ll have to rely on the tenants to make them known. In addition to annual checks, you should always provide carbon monoxide monitors.
Gas safety can be an expensive job if you choose the wrong type of service too, not least if the engineer doesn’t boast the skills or experience needed to do the job well. While a friend or acquaintance may think they know what they’re doing, taking this route is never advised.
Worse still, problems that stem from the gas appliances and pipework can (if left untreated) escalate into something worse and even affect other parts of the property. Addressing your responsibilities with the help of a Gas Safety Registered engineer is the only solution.
The Ugly
Gas safety is an incredibly important aspect for any property, and not only because there are legal obligations. In August 2018, a landlord escaped jail over inadequate gas safety. However, many landlords have faced fines and worse repercussions due to mistakes in this field.
More importantly, though, as with the above case in Plymouth, poor gas safety can put lives at risk. Forget being a landlord; could you handle the guilt of being responsible for someone’s illness or death?
If the answer is no, the best thing you can do is ensure that all gas safety responsibilities have been adhered to. WeFix provides a fast, affordable, and comprehensive service provided by fully qualified engineers. Give us a call today to get your gas safety regulations under control.
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