subject: Hse Tells Landlords To Improve Gas Safety [print this page] Landlords must ensure the safety of their tenants by hiring qualified engineers to undertake any necessary gas work, states the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
In 2008/9, 15 people died from carbon monoxide poisoning associated with domestic gas appliances, which was mainly a result of badly fitted or poorly serviced gas appliances, claims the HSE.
Landlords are urged to use qualified tradesmen, who have passed the appropriate gas training courses or commercial gas courses, as by law they are required to employ a Gas Safe registered engineer.
HSE and Local Authorities enforce the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 in both domestic and commercial premises which include statutory obligations on landlords to maintain gas appliances that they own.
Gas Safe registered engineers employed by landlords are legally obliged to check all gas appliances and flues within 12 months of being installed and then at least every twelve months.
In addition, the engineers are also required to complete any necessary maintenance and repairs of gas appliances, flues and pipe work, which is needed in the rental property.
HSE Head of Work Environment, Radiation and Gas Division Peter Brown said: "Tenants should quite rightly expect that their landlords are taking all necessary steps to ensure that gas appliances are safe. Though there are legal duties on landlords, meeting them shouldn't be an onerous task."
The HSE has joined forces with the National Landlords Association to launch a new website to help landlords understand what they should be doing to keep tenants safe in any properties they let.
The website breaks down the information into easy to use sections including repair and maintenance, annual gas safety checks and record keeping as well as giving answers to frequently asked questions.
People interested in become a qualified engineer should take gas training courses which result in the achievement of the CITB Intermediate Gas Certificate.
This qualification will ensure that the student has knowledge of changes to legislation, British Standards and industry best practice, according to the industry body.
The Citizens Advice Bureau has advised people who are keen to enrol on gas training courses and commercial gas courses to check that a training centre is approved and accredited by the appropriate organisations.
There are an estimated 14 million people living in six million rental properties in Britain.
Gas Safe Register is the government approved registration scheme for gas engineers in the UK, Isle of Man and Guernsey.
