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Plumbing, Heating & Gas Advice in Woodford

Landlord Gas Safety FAQs

Landlords have a legal duty to keep their tenants safe - one of which is to provide a copy of the Landlord's Gas Safety Record every year... Read this blog post to take a look through some of our most Frequently asked questions on Gas Safety for landlords! Beales Services offer a combined price for landlord gas safety certificates and boiler service, so get in touch if you'd like to take us up on this offer.

Gas Safety FAQs for Landlords

What are my duties as a landlord in relation to gas safety?

As a landlord, you are responsible for the safety of your tenants. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 deal with landlords’ duties to make sure gas appliances, fittings and flues provided for tenants are safe.

Appliances, fittings and flues in a communal area that may be used by tenants are also included.  You are responsible for the maintenance and repair of flues, appliances and pipework provided for your tenant's use by a Gas Safe Registered heating engineer. Although there is no prescribed timeframe for these duties, good practise would be the demonstration of regular, annual maintenance checks and subsequent repairs.

You are also responsible for ensuring an annual gas safety check is carried out within 12 months of the installation of a new appliance or flue which you provide and annually thereafter by a Gas Safe Registered engineer. You must keep a record of the safety check for 2 years and issue a copy to each existing tenant within 28 days of the check being completed and issue a copy to any new tenants before they move in.

Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 you can have the annual gas safety check on each appliance or flue carried out up to 2 months before the date the check needs to be carried out but still retain the original deadline date as if the check had been carried out exactly 12 months after the previous check.

For more information see Regulation 36A of the Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998

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Is it OK to only keep a digital record of my Gas Safety Certificate (CP12)?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to keep digital copies of your Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) as long as you can provide your tenant with a digital copy and they have the means to access it, you keep it safe (i.e. you don't delete it from your electronic records) and the certificate uniquely identifies the engineer who carried out the checks with a signature and Gas Safe registered engineers number.

What should I do if I suspect an appliance is unsafe?

It is illegal for anyone to use a gas appliance if they suspect it is unsafe. Turn the appliance off and do not touch it until it has been checked by a Gas Safe Registered engineer.

  • If you suspect there is a gas leak you should immediately do the following:
  • Call National Grid's Gas Emergency Freephone number: 0800 111 999
  • Open all the doors and windows
  • Shut off the gas supply at the meter control valve (if you know where it is)

Should I provide my tenants with a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm?

HSE strongly recommends the use of CO alarms as one useful precaution to give tenants advance warning of CO in the property. Importantly alarms should not be regarded as a replacement for regular maintenance and safety checks by a Gas Safe Registered engineer. CO alarms cost from £15 and can be purchased in most hardware shops. Before purchasing a CO alarm, always ensure it complies with British Standard EN 50291 and carries a British or European approval mark, such as a Kitemark. CO alarms should be installed and maintained in line with the manufacturer's instructions.

On 1 Oct 2015 the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 came into force. From that date, private rented sector landlords have been required to have at least one smoke alarm installed on every floor of their properties and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room where solid fuel is used.  After that, the landlord must make sure the alarms are in working order at the start of each new tenancy.  The Department for Communities and Local Government has published an explanatory booklet to help landlords to understand and comply with the requirements.

Why are ventilation and flues so important?

To help operate safely, all gas appliances need the following:

  • An adequate supply of air to help the complete combustion of gas;
  • Efficient operation of their flue to remove any combustion products, including carbon monoxide (CO), that are produced

Without these safety precautions, dangerous levels of carbon monoxide can build up with the possibility of fatal consequences. There are some easy ways to help avoid the build-up of carbon monoxide poisoning:

  • Never block ventilation;
  • Ensure that flues are kept clear at all times;
  • Have your appliance regularly maintained and annually serviced by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

What should I do if I smell gas or I am concerned about the safety of any gas appliance?

If you suspect there is a gas leak you should immediately do the following:

  • Call National Grid's Gas Emergency Freephone number: 0800 111 999
  • Open all the doors and windows
  • Shut off the gas supply at the meter control valve (if you know where it is)
  • It is illegal for anyone to use a gas appliance if they suspect it is unsafe. Turn the appliance off and do not touch it until it has been checked by a Gas Safe Registered engineer

Speak with a professional Gas Safe Registered Engineer

For further information on Landlord Gas Safety Certificates and our heating engineer services get in touch on 07921705246 /  0203 488 0883 or email us at hello@bealesservices.co.uk. You can also fill out the contact page on our website.