Gas Safety - The Do's and Don'ts
Mary-Anne Bowring 14/02/2024
1443
Is Your Home Safe?
According to the Gas Safe Register, a quarter of homes in the UK have a potentially dangerous gas appliance. That is an awful lot of potential damage to property and, far more importantly, to homeowners and tenants. There are an amazing 700,000 incidents that result from appliances every year. So we thought that we would inform you of what you should be doing to keep your property as safe as houses.
Gas Safety Regulations for Rental Properties
There are specific regulations that apply to rented properties, and anyone letting a house or flat should be well aware of their legal responsibilities. Compliance is crucial to protect tenants and avoid penalties.
A Landlord’s Legal Obligations
Landlords are legally responsible for the safety of their tenants when it comes to gas safety. By law, you must:
- Repair and maintain gas pipework, flues, and appliances, keeping them in a safe condition.
- Ensure that an annual gas safety check is carried out on each appliance and flue.
- Keep a record of each safety check.
Tenant Awareness and Carbon Monoxide Risks
Landlords should also educate tenants on their responsibilities and the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. It is potentially fatal, with six symptoms to watch for:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Breathlessness
- Nausea
- Collapse
- Loss of consciousness
Installing carbon monoxide alarms and encouraging awareness can be lifesaving.
The Consequences of Non-Compliance
Landlords must never attempt DIY maintenance on gas appliances. Ignoring regulations can lead to severe consequences, including:
- Fines of up to £6,000
- Possible imprisonment
- Risk to tenant safety
All legal requirements for landlords can be found on the HSE website.
How PlanetRent Helps with Compliance
For a hassle-free way to ensure your property meets gas safety regulations, consider using PlanetRent. This automated lettings platform simplifies compliance by:
- Sending reminders for important safety checks.
- Booking services and emergency repairs.
- Keeping tenants informed of maintenance progress.
- Collecting tenant feedback on repairs.
Planetrent Properties
info@planetrent.co.uk
0208 0599 550 (for sales)
Under Offer: This term applies to a property where the landlord is considering an offer but remains on the market. It implies that further offers may still be considered until the landlord formally accepts or declines the current offer.
Let Agreed: This term indicates that a landlord has provisionally agreed to enter into a rental agreement with a prospective tenant, pending additional checks and referencing. It doesn't require the prospective tenant to have paid a holding deposit.
Let: This term signifies an established binding rental agreement between the landlord and tenant.
For both lettings and sales, the guidance addresses additional terms:
New On The Market: This term is used for a property not advertised since its last sale or rental. It should only be used for a brief period.
New Instruction: It applies to a property assigned to an agent for marketing recently, even if it was previously listed with another agent without being sold or rented.
New and Exclusive: This term refers to a property that is either new on the market or a new instruction, exclusively available through a specific agent or portal.
New Method of Sale/Let: This term is used when a property is being marketed for sale or rent using an alternative approach to the original advertisement, such as transitioning to an auction or sealed bid.
Reduced: This term indicates that a property's price has recently been reduced. The reduction should be genuine and comply with the Chartered Trading Standards Institute's guidelines on pricing practices.