Gas Safety Week highlights responsibilities for landlords

The launch of Gas Safety Week has brought into sharp focus the responsibilities that landlords have in maintaining the highest standards for their tenants.

Gas safety Week, which is co-ordinated by Gas Safe Register, runs from 17 September to 23 September and is designed to raise awareness of gas safety.

Looking after gas appliances is critical for everyone, whether you are a homeowner, tenant, landlord or letting agent. Any appliance which does not meet the required standards, or is poorly fitted and serviced can result in serious accidents including leaks, fires and explosions.

If you are landlord, it is critical that you take every precaution to ensure that any gas appliances are maintained to the highest standard, and that only official gas engineers, a list of whom can be found on the Gas Safe Register, are used to carry out any regular checks and repairs.

Landlords and letting agents both have important responsibilities in terms of any gas related aspects of a property, and that includes legal responsibilities.

Ultimately, tenants should not be put at risk under any circumstances, and in one case earlier this year, a landlord was actually given a custodial sentence for failing to maintain gas appliances and not providing a Landlord’s Gas Safety Certificate.

Adrian Sangster, Leasing Director, Aberdein Considine said:

“Gas safety is not something that landlords should not take lightly and it’s important they keep proper records for gas appliances and maintain a regular dialogue with tenants to ensure there are no issues.

Being a landlord is not always as straightforward as it might sound, and it can be challenging to keep a regular focus on everything that needs to be done. We take care of all health and safety compliance matters on behalf of landlords as part of our management service, which could save time and costs, as well as help meet your legal obligations and make your property more marketable.”