Did you know that carbon monoxide causes the deaths of around 50 people each year in England and Wales – and around 200 more suffer serious injuries as a result of exposure.
As a private landlord your responsibilities are greater than most people’s when it comes to gas, the law and tenant safety. You must be able to prove that you can keep your tenants safe by providing documentation.
It is a legal requirement to have all gas appliances checked every 12 months by a Gas Safe-registered engineer and to provide the inspection report to the tenants. All faults must be fixed immediately to prevent any dangerous gases being released.
Carbon monoxide alarms are not a legal requirement but landlords would be well advised in fitting one – as well as showing tenants where the emergency gas shut-off valve is in case there is an emergency. Carbon monoxide is a silent, odourless but deadly killer and the simple processing of fitting an audible alarm could save lives.
Private landlords should also be wary of poor work, performed by untrained workers. Every year, landlords are conned by illegal gas workers who perform poor gas work. Ensure that any work carried out in relation to gas appliances in domestic or commercial premises is to be undertaken by a Gas Safe Registered engineer, competent in that area of work.
