Poor gas safety can jeopardise the health of your residential property’s tenants, and it is your job to offer a safe interior environment.
You must repair and maintain gas pipes and appliances as a landlord, perform an annual gas safety check, and keep gas safety records. Installing carbon monoxide detectors and developing an interior air quality management plan are two solid strategies to ensure that a tenant’s health is not jeopardised by gas.
The plan should consider the unique requirements of each location, as well as gas supply and appliance inspections. The responsibility should be given to one person who is responsible for identifying issue sites and employees whose activities may have an impact on air quality.
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Annual Gas Safety Check
Landlords must ensure that gas appliances, fittings, and flues provided for a tenant’s usage are safe under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (2004 in Northern Ireland). A Gas Safe Registered Engineer must perform a gas safety inspection within 12 months of installing a new gas appliance or flue, and then every year after that.
Landlords must preserve safety inspection records for two years and provide a copy to current tenants within 28 days of the inspection. Before moving in, new tenants must receive a copy of the check.
Create a Gas Safety Plan
Ascertain that you will be able to simply amend your plan in the event of any legislation or other changes affecting gas safety. To make a plan that is appropriate for your scenario, follow these guidelines:
- Schedule routine gas appliance, pipe, and filter maintenance with licenced engineers.
- Establish procedures for determining if a gas appliance is dangerous. It is prohibited for anyone to use a gas appliance if they feel it is harmful, and it should be shut off immediately.
- Provide a CO alarm that meets British Standard EN 50291 and is stamped with an approval mark. Follow the manufacturer’s directions to the letter.
The plan you create should take into account the unique requirements of each room, as well as gas supply and appliance inspections.
In case of a suspected gas leak…
- Open all doors and windows
- Shut off the gas at the meter control valve
- Call National Grid’s Gas Emergency Freephone number at: 0800 111 999
Working With Tenants
Here are steps tenants can take to improve gas safety:
- Providing access to the premises for gas maintenance and safety inspections.
- Never close the vents of gas appliances, and keep the flues clear at all times.
- Investigations and repairs on gas appliances can only be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
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