Gas Safety Week: Fighting for a Gas Safe nation

Darlows are delighted to be supporting Gas Safety Week 2017, taking place 18^th – 24^th September. It is an annual week to generate awareness of gas safety and the importance of taking correct care of your gas appliances. It is organised by Gas Safe Register, the official list of gas engineers who are, by law, allowed to work on gas.

Poorly fitted and serviced gas appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning. Every year thousands of people in the UK are diagnosed with carbon monoxide poisoning – a highly poisonous gas. You can’t see it, taste it or smell it, but it can kill quickly without any warning.

Landlords are legally responsible for the safety of their tenants and should make sure maintenance and annual safety checks on gas appliances are carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Tenants should also always be aware of how best to manage their gas appliances, to ensure you’re taking care of your home, yourself and your family.

Tips for tenants

• Check any gas appliances you own every year. Gas appliances should be safety checked once a year and serviced regularly by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Set a reminder so you don’t forget at www.staygassafe.co.uk.

• Check your Landlord’s Gas Safety Record. By law, your landlord must keep gas appliances supplied for you to use in good condition. They should arrange a gas safety check every 12 months and give you a record of the check.

• Check the engineer’s Gas Safe Register ID card. Ensure they are qualified for the work you need carried out. You can locate this information the back of the card. Also check your engineer is Gas Safe registered. You can check at www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500.

• Have an audible carbon monoxide alarm. This will alert you if there is carbon monoxide in your home.

• Be aware of the six signs of carbon monoxide poisoning – dizziness, nausea, breathlessness, headaches, collapse and loss of consciousness.

• Check for warning signs your appliances aren’t working correctly e.g. lazy yellow or orange flames instead of crisp blue ones, black marks on or around the appliance and too much condensation in the room.

Legal obligations for landlords

• Maintenance and annual safety checks are carried out by an engineer registered with Gas Safe Register.
• Pipe-work, appliances and flues provided for tenants are maintained in a safe condition.

• All appliances and flues provided for tenants use have an annual safety check. Set a reminder so you don’t forget at www.staygassafe.co.uk.
• All gas equipment (including any appliance left by a previous tenant) is safe or otherwise removed before re-letting.
• A Gas Safety Record is provided to the tenant within 28 days of completing the check or to any new tenant before they move in.
• You keep a copy of the Gas Safety Record for two years.

Before any gas work begins always check the engineer’s ID card and make sure the engineer is qualified for the work you need doing and encourage your tenants to do the same.

For more information and to find and check an engineer go to www.gassaferegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500.

All tenants and landlords are well looked after at Darlows – our team of expert property managers are highly trained in looking after landlord and tenant safety.