Although as a homeowner you are not legally required to perform a gas safety check in your home, it is highly recommended. Carbon monoxide poisoning causes about 40 deaths each year in the United Kingdom and approximately 200 hospitalizations. These deaths can be easily prevented with periodic gas safety checks and ensure that the gas system is well maintained.
Owners have a legal obligation to ensure that all associated gas appliances, fittings, pipes and smoke ducts are safe with an annual Gas Safety Control. These checks must be performed by a registered gas safety engineer (formerly known as registered CORGI). The gas engineer will provide a Gas Safety Certificate in which a copy will be required for your tenant. This Gas Safety Certificate is also necessary for any insurance policy you have in force. Without this Gas Safety Certificate, your insurance will be considered invalid.
It is important to keep abreast of these annual checks, since if you do not, your appliances will become dangerous and lose harmful gases, and if a tenant is harmed due to improper security controls, a criminal court can impose unlimited fines and, in The worst case. In case of death, the owner can be charged with involuntary manslaughter.
If a Management Company manages your property for you, you should verify the contract to ensure that you clearly indicate who is responsible for these inspections and the maintenance of your gas appliances. All documentation related to gas safety controls and maintenance of your gas appliances must be kept on record for at least two years and, if you are the owner, you must ensure that your tenants receive copies within 28 days to the inspection. If your tenants change, you must give them a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate before they move, unless the responsibility falls on any agent acting on their behalf, then they must pass on the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulation of 1998
If you want to have more peace of mind, as well as your annual controls, you can install carbon monoxide alarms and keep your tenants safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. As of October 1, 2010, it was a legal requirement in England to install a CO alarm in the same room as a coal or wood burning stove. This does not include gas appliances. Home
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