Property maintenance: Gas safety checks- why and how?

The trend of buying property for investment has seen a big surge in the UK in the past 10 years many of which are rented out. As a property owner, If you let your property to tenants you need to ensure that it is safe to use.  A big part of this obligation relates to gas safety, as a landlord you have a few legal requirements considering gas appliances in your property:

• Maintenance: pipework, appliances and chimney/flues need to be maintained safely. Gas appliances should be serviced in accordance with the frequency given in the manufacturer’s instructions. If these are not available, you should ask a Gas Safe registered engineer to service them annually.
• Gas safety checks: An annual gas safety check should be carried out on each gas appliance/flue. This will ensure gas appliances and fittings are safe to use. There is a legal requirement on you to have all gas appliances safety checked by a registered engineer annually and you also need to maintain gas pipework and flues in a safe condition. This is UK law.
• Records: A record of the annual gas safety check should be provided to your existing tenants within 28 days of completion, or to new tenants upon the start of their tenancy. If the rental period is less than 28 days at a time you may display a copy of the record in a prominent position within the dwelling. You’ll need to keep copies of the record for at least 2 years.

What is the difference between a service and a check?  See the summary below for clarification:

Appliance safety check:

As a minimum this will include all tests and checks to include the appliance can be operated safely for example:

• It is correctly set and adjusted to ensure the gas is burning correctly
• It is of a type suitable for the room in which it is located
• It is physically stable, securely fitted and properly connected to the gas pipework
• There is an adequate and permanent air supply suitable for the appliance type installed
• Any flues or chimneys are operating correctly
• All safety devices function correctly

Appliance Service:

This service will include all of the safety checks required as well as inspection and cleaning of the appliances as specified by the manufacturer for example:

• If appropriate, an analysis of the combustion exhaust gases to ensure the appliance is burning the gas safely
• A check of the condition of the appliance including (but not limited to): the effectiveness of any seals, gaskets, the cleanliness of heat exchangers etc. and checking for any signs of heat or other distress

Emergency Service:

If you are not currently providing regular service, which we strongly recommend, here are a few signs that you must get the appliances serviced without delay:

• The gas appliance is not working properly
• The appliance is burning with a lazy yellow flame rather than a crisp blue one
• Black marks/stains are evident around the gas appliance
• The pilot light keeps going out
• There is increased condensation in the room

In addition, if a tenant has their own gas appliance that you have not provided, you are responsible only for the maintenance of the gas pipework – not the appliance itself. It’s also a good idea to ensure that your tenants know where/how to turn the gas off and what to do in the event of a gas emergency. Last, but certainly not least, make sure anyone carrying out gas work on your property is Gas Safe registered – this is not only the law, but the most important step to ensuring the safety of your tenants.

Here are Express Property Services we offer gas safety certificates as well as regular services. Click here for more information.

Categorised in: Landlords, Property maintenance

This post was written by Express Property Services