If you’re the landlord for a property that uses gas, you are responsible for making sure the gas appliances in the property are regularly checked to ensure their safety. There are certain gas safety requirements you must legally adhere to, so here are the essentials you need to know about gas safety checks.
Why do I need a gas safety check?
Gas safety checks are extremely important, mainly to keep your tenants safe, but also to protect your property. If a gas appliance fails it can lead to gas leaks, which can cause fires and carbon monoxide poisoning, so it’s vital that you never miss a check. For this reason, the laws around gas safety are very strict, and failure to comply with them can mean hefty fines or even a prison sentence.
What are the requirements?
By law, you are required to have a gas safety check carried out on all the gas appliances and flues in your property every 12 months. A change to the regulations in April 2018 means that you can now order a gas safety check 10-12 months after the last check – this is to make it easier for you to stay compliant with the law even if you run into problems getting access to the property. You must use a registered Gas Safe engineer to check your property, and when you let out the property to new tenants you must make sure that your gas safety record is up to date.
Can I use a letting agent?
Some letting agents will take the responsibility for gas maintenance and safety checks out of your hands, and if you choose to do this you must make sure that it is explicitly stated in your contract with the letting agent. It’s also a good idea to ask to see copies of the gas safety certificate, to make sure that the work has been carried out correctly. Gough Quarters offer gas safety checks as part of our Managed option, so get in touch to discuss this with us.
How else can I ensure gas safety?
Keeping your property and your tenants safe doesn’t have to end with the gas safety check. Here are some further steps you can take to ensure gas safety:
- Fit a carbon monoxide alarm in your property
- Know the signs of a failing gas appliance: a weak yellow flame (rather than a blue one), black marks around the appliance, excessive condensation
- Know the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning: lethargy, headaches, nausea, dizziness, loss of consciousness
- Advise your tenants never to block flues or ventilation
- Show your tenants how to turn off the gas
Do you have a property to let in Bristol? Contact Gough Quarters today to discuss your options.
Image sources:
Kettles on hob by Fancycrave on Unsplash
Paperwork by rawpixel on Unsplash
