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Information Corner
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Gas Safety Regulations: Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998
For
all properties: Only
room sealed appliances can be installed in a bathroom. No
instantaneous water heater can be installed in any room
unless it is room sealed or has a safety device fitted.
Where
a gas meter is installed in a lockable box, the installer
must supply a labelled key. The
installer or engineer must carry out a series of set tests
after carrying out any works on a gas appliance. Any
person who installs a gas appliance shall leave manufacturer’s
instructions for the occupier of the property. The
person responsible for the property shall not use nor permit
to be used any known faulty gas appliance. A
person carrying out works to a property shall ensure that
the safety of the gas appliances and supply is not affected. No
person shall install a flue unless it is in a safe position. Where
there is an escape of gas or CO the person occupier, landlord
or agent shall take reasonable steps to ensure that the escape
is minimised or shall immediately inform the gas company. The
Emergency Gas telephone number is 0800 111 999 Furthermore,
the regulations are specific to rented properties in that they
state: 1.
MAINTENANCE: the Regulations place a duty on the landlord to ensure
that all gas appliances, flues and associated pipe work are maintained
in a safe condition at all times. 2.
ANNUAL SAFETY CHECK: Gas appliances and flues in rented accommodation
must be checked for safety within 12 months of being installed
and thereafter at least every 12 months by a competent engineer
(i.e. CORGI registered). 3.
NEW TENANCIES: before any tenancy or lease commences it must be
ensured that the gas safety check has been carried out on each
appliance and flue within the 12 month period before the tenancy
commences or has been or will be carried out within 12 months
after the appliance or flue was installed, whichever is the later.
4.
TENANT’S APPLIANCES: appliances owned by the tenant are
defined as those appliances which the tenant is entitled to take
away upon terminating the tenancy. It is not the landlord’s
duty to have the tenants appliances tested. 5.
RECORDS: The Regulations require the landlord or his agent to
keep a record of safety checks on each appliance and flue. The
record must include the prescribed information which includes
the date of the check, the address of the premises checked, the
name and address of the landlord or where appropriate the agent,
the description of the appliance/flue checked, any defect identified,
any remedial works undertaken, confirmation that the check complies
with the Regulations and the name and CORGI registration number
of the person doing the check. The CORGI Gas Safety Record Form
should be used for this purpose. Records must be kept for a minimum
of two years. 6.
GAS CERTIFICATE: a copy of the safety check record or certificate
must be given to the new tenant before the tenant occupies the
premises. Also a copy of the new record must be given to the existing
tenant within 28 days of the check. Please note that a copy must
be given to all tenants. I.e. 6 tenants = 6 copies. 7.
CONTRACTING OUT: a landlord or his agent can not at any time contract
out his obligation to ensure the safety of the gas appliances
and flues in the property. Therefore, a landlord or his agent
can not place the responsibility upon the tenant to have the safety
checks carried out. PENALTY
AND ENFORCEMENT: The
maximum penalty imposed in a Magistrates Court for non-compliance
is a fine of £5,000. Note however, that where injury or
death occurs due to the non-compliance an unlimited fine and or
custodial sentence can be imposed. Tenancy Letters: Insurance Solutions:
Landlords Finance:
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