Do's and don’ts for Gas Safety Week
Eric Asare 14/09/2021
2561
Is There Danger in Your Home?
Gas safety is a critical issue that affects millions of homes across the UK. According to the Gas Safe Register, one in four homes has a potentially dangerous gas appliance. This alarming statistic highlights the significant risks posed by faulty gas equipment, including fire, explosions, and carbon monoxide poisoning. In fact, one estimate suggests that there were 700,000 incidents in the last year alone caused by unsafe gas appliances. With such a high number of potentially hazardous situations, it’s crucial that homeowners and landlords take gas safety seriously. As Gas Safety Week is upon us, it’s the perfect time to review what you should be doing to ensure your property is safe.
Gas Safety: What Homeowners Need to Know
If you own your home, it’s your responsibility to maintain your gas appliances and ensure they are operating safely. The Gas Safety Week website provides a helpful list of ten top tips for homeowners, including:
- Always use a Gas Safe registered engineer for servicing and repairs.
- Ensure all gas appliances are checked annually.
- Know the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home.
- Check for warning signs of faulty appliances, such as yellow flames, black stains, or excessive condensation.
Regular maintenance and awareness can help prevent potentially life-threatening accidents. But while homeowners are responsible for their own properties, landlords have legal obligations when it comes to gas safety.
The Hidden Dangers of Faulty Gas Appliances
Many people underestimate the risks associated with poorly maintained gas appliances. Gas leaks, explosions, and fires are well-known dangers, but carbon monoxide poisoning is a silent and deadly threat that many overlook. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause serious health problems and even death. The six key symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Breathlessness
- Nausea
- Collapse
- Loss of consciousness
These symptoms can often be mistaken for other illnesses, making it even more important to have working carbon monoxide detectors in your home. If you ever suspect a gas leak or carbon monoxide presence, open all windows, leave the property immediately, and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.
What Are a Landlord’s Legal Obligations?
Landlords have a legal duty to ensure that gas appliances in their rental properties are safe. Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, landlords must:
- Repair and maintain gas pipework, flues, and appliances to ensure they are in safe working order.
- Arrange an annual gas safety check for each appliance and flue.
- Provide tenants with a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate within 28 days of the check.
- Keep records of all gas safety checks for at least two years.
Failure to meet these legal requirements can result in severe penalties, including fines of up to £6,000 per breach, imprisonment, or even being banned from renting out properties in the future.
Why Landlords Should Take Compliance Seriously
Gas safety compliance is not just about avoiding fines—it’s about protecting tenants and preventing life-threatening accidents. Negligence in gas safety can lead to tragic consequences, including fires, explosions, and carbon monoxide poisoning.
To ensure compliance, landlords should:
- Use Gas Safe registered engineers for all checks and repairs.
- Educate tenants about gas safety and carbon monoxide risks.
- Keep a detailed maintenance schedule to track all gas safety checks.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors in rental properties.
Keeping gas appliances well-maintained not only protects tenants but also safeguards the property from long-term damage.
Gas Safety Should Never Be Ignored
Gas safety is not optional—it’s a critical aspect of home and tenant safety. Whether you’re a homeowner or a landlord, keeping your gas appliances well-maintained and ensuring compliance with safety regulations is essential. With Gas Safety Week reminding us of the importance of regular checks, now is the perfect time to book your gas safety inspection and ensure your home or rental property is safe and compliant. Don’t wait until it’s too late—act now to protect yourself, your tenants, and your property.
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.