Alarming figures from the Gas Safe Register say that one in six homes in Britain have dangerous gas appliances. Not only could this have deadly consequences for the people living in them, it could also (quite rightly) severely damage the reputations of landlords.

All landlords have a legal responsibility to keep their tenants safe, and recent tragedies such as the Grenfell Tower fire have highlighted the importance of the matter even more.

By law, all landlords are required to ensure the following:

• All pipes, boilers and flues must be regularly maintained and certificated

• Annual gas safety checks are undertaken

• Any work undertaken is only done by a registered gas safety professional

• All visits from gas safety professionals are recorded, and the tenant is provided with copies

Simply organising an annual gas safety check is not enough. It’s essential that every gas appliance in the property is regularly maintained and that any gas technician checks the entire system, including the pipes. Tenants must be given adequate notice of any checks and services and always be provided with a paper copy of any reports, which must be kept by the landlord for at least two years. 

Recent changes to the law have put a greater emphasis on the protection of tenants, so it’s imperative that all landlords comply. Reputable landlords understand the importance of proper checks and maintenance, and not adhering to the rules will not only damage your reputation but potentially cost you a lot of money.

There’s a well-documented housing crisis in the UK right now, with demand far outweighing supply. While this offers substantial opportunities for buy-to-let landlords to make a lot of money, it’s important to consider the human factor too. Property isn’t just about houses and cash, it’s about people. Keeping tenants safe should be a major priority and it’s important that all landlords understand what will be expected of them before they start letting any homes” continues. Putting people at risk is unacceptable, and a lot of people are unaware of the legal obligations when they first start out in the property market.

The vast majority of landlords are not qualified gas specialists and many struggle to know where to find one. Word of mouth and recommendations are often more reliable than website reviews, but if in doubt contact your local Trading Standards office or council. A full list of qualified, certified professionals can also be found on the gas safety register.

All information in this article was taken from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website. To find out about your other obligations as a landlord, contact us today – being prepared now will save you a lot of time, money and stress later on.