As a landlord, you have many different responsibilities. From arranging repair work to chasing up payments, when it comes to renting out a property you certainly can’t afford to take a backseat. Good landlords are the ones who stay on top of their responsibilities and regularly communicate with their tenants.
A major aspect of a landlord’s job role is to understand and comply with the laws and regulations that are in place in order to protect the property and keep tenants safe. Gas safety is key cause for concern for landlords- it can be daunting knowing that tenants are left in charge of potentially dangerous appliances. Luckily, the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations Act 1998 outlines just how a landlord should look after their gas appliances, fittings and chimney flues. Below, we break down the key points of the gas safety act, so that you, as a landlord, can ensure that your tenants are safe.
As with any home, it’s essential that all of your appliances are regularly serviced and repaired when necessary. Essentially, this means that all gas appliances (including pipework and chimney flues) must be seen to by a Gas Safe registered engineer on an annual basis. Whilst you’re in charge of the boiler, central heating and fitted appliances, it’s important to remind your tenants that if they bring their own gas appliances, keeping those in good working order is their responsibility and not yours.
Often mistaken, gas safety checks are not the same as standard servicing procedures. Both are legal obligations that must be carried out by a landlord, however, the outcomes may be different- the things found in a boiler service may be different to the information gathered during a gas safety check. Either way, your Gas Safe engineer will detect any issues and advise you on the best course of action to take.
In April 2018, new regulations were introduced that order all landlords to carry out a gas safety check every 10-12 months for each appliance that is in the property, for example, a gas fire or gas oven. The cost of a gas safety check will vary between companies; we’d always advise comparing three separate quotes to get the best price in your area. Once a gas safety check has been carried out, a record must be kept for at least two years, with copies issued to tenants within 28 days of the check or to any new tenants. This record is known as a gas safety certificate.
In order to comply with the law, you’ll need a gas safety certificate for each appliance in the property, outlining the results of the gas safety checks. This certificate can either be kept as a hard copy or electronically. If you want to store it electronically, remember that you must be able to reproduce in hard copy format when necessary and it must be kept securely at all times. Also, remember that it must still include unique identification of your chosen Gas Safe engineer, such as their electronic signature, their scanned signature or unique payroll number.
For more information about landlord gas safety regulations, visit the HSE website.
If you’re based in the West London area and you’re a landlord in need of gas and heating services, look no further than West London Gas. Our expert team of Gas Safe engineers provide an all-inclusive landlord gas safety package so that you can ensure you’re complying with regulations and keeping your property safe. Get in touch with us today for a free, no-obligation quote.