ARE YOUR STUDENT DIGS SAFE?
A record number of students will be attending UK universities this autumn to beat the large fee rises scheduled to start next year. Hundreds of thousands will share rented flats and houses. Some of these will have older and potentially dangerous gas appliances. The Heating Helpline reminds landlords and letting agents that they have a legal duty to have their boilers and other gas appliances checked and serviced each year and advises students on what to ask the landlord for.
20 September 2011 – A record number of students will be attending UK universities this autumn to beat the large fee rises scheduled to start next year. Hundreds of thousands will share rented flats and houses. In several areas, especially towns and cities with two universities, demand for student digs has outstripped supply. For many it’s been a question of taking anything available – a roof over their head. Even in these circumstances it’s vital that students ensure their accommodation has gas appliances that have been regularly serviced – they are safe.
The Heating Helpline (http://www.heatinghelpline.org.uk), the home heating advice service operated by the Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association (HVCA), reminds landlords and lettings agencies renting out student digs that, in common with all rented accommodation, they have a legal duty to ensure that gas appliances in the property have been checked and serviced on an annual basis.
Blane Judd, Chief Executive of the HVCA comments, “Landlords that fail to properly maintain a boiler or other gas appliance are putting tenants’ lives at risk – poorly maintained or defective appliances can leak potentially lethal quantities of carbon monoxide (CO) and in the UK annually around 50 people are killed and at least 400 hospital admissions result from CO poisoning. Apart from the financial consequences of breaching gas safety legislation, with Corporate Manslaughter legislation now in force, landlords that do not comply with the law and act negligently could be very harshly treated by the courts.
“Gas appliances in rented accommodation should be serviced annually in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions by a Gas Safe registered installer, in addition to having annual gas safety checks carried out on them.
“We strongly advise any owner or managing agent of student accommodation with gas appliances that have been infrequently serviced in the past to contact an HVCA member to get the system inspected.
“You cannot see or smell carbon monoxide and so fitting a European Standard certified audible carbon monoxide alarm can be a potentially life saving defence. It is however essential that your alarm is marked with the EN50291 safety standard and with the CE mark – responsible landlords will have CO alarms fitted, if not we recommend that student tenants ask for one to be fitted or do so even at their own expense.
“For students living in rented accommodation, you have the right to ask your landlord for a copy of the gas safety certificate following the annual safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer and you should not hesitate to contact the Health & Safety Executive (0845 3450055) if the landlord does not provide this”.
HVCA members that operate in the domestic sector are all Gas Safe registered and members of TrustMark, the government-backed scheme that makes it easy for consumers to find reliable, reputable trades’ people.
To find a reputable heating engineer and HVCA member in your area, contact the free Heating Helpline on 0800 840 4069 or visit the website at: http://www.heatinghelpline.org.uk.
Ends
Issued on behalf of the HVCA by Next Step Marketing Ltd
Media enquiries to: Heather Lambert
Tel: 44(0)1256 472020
Fax: 44(0)1256 471010
E-mail: heather@nextstepmarketing.co.uk
Notes to Editors
Established in 1904, the HVCA is the premier organisation representing central heating contractors across the UK, and exists to promote fair dealing and the sound installation of heating systems. HVCA members all undergo third-party inspection and assessment of their technical competence and commercial capability every three years. This process is carried out by an independent certification body with an established industry reputation. HVCA members who undertake gas installations are registered with Gas Safe – the gas safety watchdog body – and are also members of TrustMark, the Government-endorsed scheme designed to direct customers towards reliable tradespeople. HVCA operates the Heating Helpline (http://www.heatinghelpline.org.uk) to provide consumers with free, impartial advice on every aspect of home heating.
Tags:
