This week is Gas Safety Week, a national safety campaign which aims to raise awareness of gas safety throughout the UK’s 23 million gas fueled homes. Co-ordinated by the Gas Safety register, it features support from many within the industry to help spread the word. In the spirit of this week we share why there should be a focus to manage gas safety, servicing and maintenance.
If you are a landlord, having gas safety checks is an essential part of managing your property. In the eyes of the law a landlord is seen as being legally responsible for ensuring that all gas appliances at the property are regularly checked. This is simply so that any problems can be highlighted and repaired to maintain a safe place for tenants to live in.
Keeping your tenants safe is the first and foremost priority in gas safety, without regular safety checks at a property you run the risk of leaving your tenants open to damage from a gas related accident or to their health. It also can lead to significant and costly repairs if left unattended.
When it comes to gas safety, a well maintained property will have it’s pipework, appliances and flues kept in a safe condition. To encourage this, property owners are required to perform annual gas safety checks to ensure that all fixtures and appliances are safe and that no one will be at risk.
Outside of having an inspection, it is equally as important to obtain a record of your annual gas safety check as you will be required to provide this to your tenants within 28 days (or before a new tenant moves into the property). It also will give you a record of checks should you ever need to show that your property has been well maintained.
For any basic maintenance you wish to carry out, it is recommended that you always follow manufacturers instructions during servicing, where available. In the cases where there is no instructions, make sure you have your appliances checked by a GasSafe certified engineer. This will ensure that your appliances have been checked by someone who is professionally trained and certified.
Abiding by these rules is essential for landlords, and much more than a general guideline. Failure to follow these rules may result in severe consequences and being legally liable for any damage/harm caused. Without proper and regular gas safety checks and maintenance, you leave your tenants open to potentially serious harm over an extended period.
The key thing to remember this Gas Safety week is schedule your annual gas safety check, get a record to show this, and finally make sure that your appliances are maintained by a professional. Don’t leave it till it’s too late, make sure your property is safe from gas today.
Check out the video below for more information on Gas Safety Week!