Landlords are responsible for the gas safety of tenants under the law as part of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (GS(IU)R 98).
This responsibility means landlords must:
- Repair and maintain gas pipework, flues and appliances in safe condition
- Ensure an annual gas safety check on each appliance and flue
- Keep a record of each safety check for 2 years and issue to tenants within 28 days of the check or to new tenants
This responsibility extends to residential premises provided for rent by local authorities, housing associations, private sector landlords, housing co-operatives, hostels, rooms let in bed-sit accommodation, private households, bed and breakfast accommodation and hotels, rented holiday accommodation such as chalets, cottages, flats, caravans and narrow boats on inland waterways.
Without an adequate supply of air to help the complete combustion of gas and the efficient operation of their flue to remove any combustion products, dangerous levels of carbon monoxide can build up with gas appliances with fatal potential consequences.
To minimize this safety risk it is important to have gas appliances, including your gas boiler, gas cooker and gas fire checked once a year and serviced regularly in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
The gas safety check should be carried out by Gas Safe registered engineer who will assess the physical condition of the appliance, installation pipework, air vents and any flues for deterioration.
Extra gas safety
As an extra precaution the use of a carbon monoxide alarm is recommended to provide advance warning of carbon monoxide (CO) in the property.
What to do if you suspect a gas leak
The advice to any landlord or tenant who suspects a gas leak is to:
- Call National Grid's Gas Emergency number free on 0800 111 999
- Open all the doors and windows
- Shut the gas supply off at the meter control valve if its location is known