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Gas Safety and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Inventory clerks are not trained gas safety engineers and can make no recommendations regarding gas appliances as part of their visit to a property.

However, they should be aware of some of the regulations surrounding gas safety and be able to advise landlords (and letting agents), when asked, of the minimum requirements of the law. If the landlord or agent wants further information, they should be pointed towards the relevant section of the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) web site at:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/faqlandlord.htm

The HSE is stepping up its warning to landlords over the maintenance of gas appliances in the wake of an increasing number of incidents involving the poisoning and potential poisoning of tenants by carbon monoxide from poorly maintained gas installations. As well as the potentially fatal nature of the risk to tenants, landlords who neglect their duty of care in this area are liable to heavy fines and associated legal costs.

Who is responsible?
The management contract between a landlord and letting agent must specify who is responsible for maintenance and safety checks. This includes maintaining accurate paperwork. Whoever assumes responsibility is then bound by the ters of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.

What are the minimum requirements?

• An annual gas safety check must be performed every 12 months by a Gas Safe Registered engineer
• A record of each safety check must be retained for 2 years
• A copy of the safety check report must be given to each existing tenant within 28 days of the check
• A copy of the safety check report must be issued to new tenants before the start of the tenancy
• The safety check will cover all the pipe work, appliances, and flues owned by the landlord and provided for the use of tenants

Checks between tenancies
A visual check of the property should be done by the landlord or agent to see if the departing tenant has removed any appliances unsafely or left behind an appliance of their own appliance. Appliances left behind should either be removed or checked for safety by a Gas Safe Registered engineer before the start of a new tenency.

If there is any suspicion that a tenant may have tampered with an appliance or there is evidence of vandalism ocurring while a property was vacant, the HSE recommends the completion of a new gas safety check before any new tenants move in.

Carbon monoxide(CO) alarms
The HSE strongly recommends the use of CO alarms. They can give vital advance warning to tenants of CO in the property. Alarms must meet British Standard EN 50291 and carry a British or European approval mark, such as a Kitemark. CO alarms should always be installed and maintained according to the manufacturer\'s instructions .

However, CO alarms are not a replacement for regular maintenance and safety checks by a Gas Safe Registered engineer.

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