Heating Helpline says BBC EastEnders gas poisoning storyline serves as strong warning for landlords

Landlords that flout gas safety legislation to save money face heavy fines and potentially far more serious penalties if poorly maintained gas appliances cause CO poisoning. Timely advice to landlords and tenants comes from the Heating Helpline.

3 March 2011 – BBC One Soap EastEnders has tackled the important issue of boiler installation and maintenance in its current story featuring Albert Square resident Heather Trott. This brings home the very real dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning when domestic boilers are not looked after on a regular basis. The Heating Helpline highlights that landlords should be aware they risk severe penalties for ignoring their obligations under gas safety legislation. Bob Towse, technical and safety consultant for the Heating Helpline, comments, “I am pleased to see a hugely influential and popular show like EastEnders has chosen to cover this important issue. Whilst this is in the public eye it is worth highlighting that landlords must realise that failure to properly maintain a boiler puts tenants’ lives at risk – poorly maintained or defective gas appliances can leak potentially lethal quantities of carbon monoxide (CO) and around 50 people still needlessly die every year from CO poisoning. “With the Corporate Manslaughter legislation now in force, landlords who flout gas safety legislation are likely to be very harshly treated by the courts. “Buy-to-let landlords under increasing financial pressure could be tempted to cut corners by ignoring the requirement to arrange for a reputable, Gas Safe registered installer to carry out annual safety checks and servicing but it’s just not worth the risk. “Many private landlords that have bought property to let in the last few years may not even be aware of their legal responsibilities where their properties have gas equipment installed”. If you are living in rented accommodation your landlord must issue you with 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 and Safety Executive (0845 345 0055) if the landlord does not provide this. The gas safety certificate must also be provided to tenants when moving in to a new property. When moving in to a new property you should ensure that all heating appliances and installations are maintained in good order. For more information on the maintenance of gas appliances or to find a reputable Gas Safe registered heating engineer in your area, please contact the Heating Helpline on 0800 840 4069 or their website: www.heatinghelpline.org.uk. For more information on carbon monoxide poisoning visit: http://www.co-gassafety.co.uk. Ends