LANDLORDS PUTTING TENANTS’ LIVES AT RISK BY FAILING TO ORGANISE ANNUAL GAS SAFETY CHECKS AT THEIR PROPERTIES
20 June 2013 – A recent survey of over 4,300 tenants in England found that one in ten – the equivalent of more than 900,000 people – had not had an annual gas safety check organised by their landlord or letting agent. A related survey with landlords found that one in seven (15%) landlords did not know that it was their legal responsibility to organise an annual gas safety check and certificate. Both surveys were undertaken jointly by Shelter and British Gas.
Shelter’s Chief Executive, Campbell Robb, said, “It’s shocking to think that in thousands of households across the country there are accidents waiting to happen because a simple safety check has not taken place. It’s absolutely vital that renters are aware of the need to get an annual gas safety check. Meanwhile, landlords need to know that gas safety is not optional – it is their legal duty.”
Blane Judd, Chief Executive of B&ES, the Building & Engineering Services Association, comments, “Courts can impose heavy fines on landlords that fail to ensure the safe condition of tenants’ gas appliances but, apart from the financial consequences of breaching gas safety legislation, landlords are putting 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 do not comply with the law and act negligently could be very harshly treated by the courts.
“Landlords might also consider that a properly maintained boiler will operate much more efficiently and can actually lead to energy savings, and with the very high cost of gas these savings can be greater than the maintenance cost.”
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 & Safety Executive (0845 300 9923) if the landlord does not provide this. The gas safety certificate must also be provided to tenants when moving in to a new property. Gas safety checks often pick up a range of problems, including faulty boilers, and are vital in stopping gas leaks, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning.
B&ES operates the free Heating Helpline which provides advice to homeowners and tenants on all aspects of home heating and energy saving including how to locate a qualified, registered heating engineer. To find out more call 0800 810 8303 or visit http://www.heatinghelpline.org.uk.
Ends
Issued on behalf of the Building & Engineering Services Association (B&ES) 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
Since its formation in 1904, B&ES, the Building & Engineering Services Association (formerly the HVCA) has represented the interests of companies engaged in a wide range of building and engineering services including domestic heating and renewable technologies.
B&ES members are subject to regular, third-party inspection and assessment of their technical competence and commercial capability, carried out by an independent certification body at least every three years.
B&ES 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.
B&ES operates the Heating Helpline (http://www.heatinghelpline.org.uk) to provide consumers with free, impartial advice on every aspect of home heating.
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