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Domestic gas installation and health and safety
As a homeowner, tenant, landlord or gas installer you have rights and responsibilities where gas safety is concerned.
Gas Safe Register
From 1 April 2009, Gas Safe Register replaces Corgi as the organisation responsible for gas safety in Great Britain.
To find a Gas Safe registered engineer visit the Gas Safe website or call 0800 408 5500.
Landlords
As a landlord, you are responsible for the safety of your tenants. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 specifically deal with the duties of landlords to ensure that gas appliances, fittings and flues provided for tenants' use are safe. Landlords should:
- ensure installation pipe work, appliances and flues provided for tenants are maintained in a safe condition
- ensure an annual safety check is carried out on each appliance and/or flue that you provide for tenants use
- ensure maintenance and annual safety checks are carried out by a Gas Safe registered installer
- keep a record of each safety check for 2 years
- issue a copy of the safety check to each existing tenant within 28 days of check being completed, and to any new tenant before they move in
- ensure all gas equipment (including any appliance left by a previous tenant) is safe or otherwise removed before re-letting
- ensure that only Gas Safe registered installers are used to carry out work on gas appliances, fittings and flues provided for tenants use
- if a managing agent is used, make sure the management contract clearly says who will arrange for maintenance and safety checks and keep records
If you are a landlord and use a managing agent, you still have overall responsibility for making sure duties are met.
Tenants
You should allow your landlord access to the property to carry out maintenance or safety checks on appliances and/or flues that they provide for your use.
Gas appliances and/or flues you own should be regularly maintained and a safety check carried out at least once every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered installer.
If there is any doubt about the safety of gas equipment it should be turned off and not touched until checked by a Gas Safe registered installer.
Homeowners
As a homeowner you have a responsibility to yourself and the residents in your home to ensure that your gas fittings and appliances are safe.
Ensure that all gas appliances and/or flues are regularly maintained and a safety check carried out annually by a Gas Safe registered installer.
Preventing carbon monoxide poisoning
Every year about 30 people die from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning caused by gas appliances and flues which have not been properly installed or maintained. Many others also suffer ill health. When gas does not burn properly, as with other fuels such as coal, wood or oil, excess CO is produced which is poisonous. You can't see it, taste it or smell it, but CO can kill without warning in just a matter of hours.
The Health and Safety Executive website contains information gas consumers need to know in order to manage gas appliances/equipment safely and tells you what to do in an emergency. It also provides advice for landlords, and letting agents on how to comply with the law.
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