We are pledging our support for Gas Safety Week (16th-22nd September 2019), and will be sharing information and tips to awareness about the importance of gas safety both here on our blog and on social media.

The ninth annual Gas Safety Week sees organisations across the UK working together to raise awareness of the dangers of poorly maintained gas appliances, which can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

This year, Gas Safety Week is addressing a whole range of gas safety matters with a focus on addressing the needs of the most vulnerable – from advice about how to keep vulnerable loved ones gas safe, to raising awareness of using a registered engineer who is legally qualified, to ensure consumers don’t become vulnerable to illegal gas work though lack of awareness.

Landlord Liability

Hannah, Managing Director at McCartan said: “Whilst the majority of landlords we work with know they are legally obliged to have annual gas safety checks conducted on their rental properties, they don’t all know that they are liable if an engineer they instruct isn’t qualified, or produces an invalid certificate.

The number of unqualified engineers and invalid Landlord Gas Safety Certificates we come across each year is scary. Problems with gas are rare, but they can put lives in serious danger. It isn’t worth the risk of hiring a dodgy engineer just because they’re cheap.

Though providing smoke and CO alarms isn’t a legal requirement in Wales, we recommend that Welsh landlords supply them for their rental properties.”

Jonathan Samuel, chief executive for Gas Safe Register, said: “It’s great to see so many people supporting Gas Safety Week this year to help spread important and, in some cases, lifesaving advice about gas safety. It’s so vital that we help people to know not to cut corners with gas and always ask a suitably qualified Gas Safe registered engineer to work on gas appliances at their home to stay gas safe.”

Top Tips on Staying Gas Safe

To keep you and your tenants safe, follow Gas Safe Register’s top tips:

• Never attempt to work on a gas appliance yourself. Always instruct a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer who can work on your gas cooker, boiler or fire in a safe way.
• Don’t cut corners – only employ a suitably qualified Gas Safe registered engineer when having gas work carried out.
• Always ask to see your engineer’s Gas Safe ID card. Make sure you check the back of the card, which will state which gas appliances they are qualified to work on.
• If you smell gas or think there might be a gas leak, call the free 24-hour national gas emergency number immediately on 0800 111 999.

Gas Safe Register is the official register for legally qualified engineers. You can find a registered engineer in your area by visiting the Gas Safe Register website at www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk or by calling on 0800 408 5500 – or by calling the team at McCartan on 01792 430100.

Sources: Gas Safe Register

Related: Update on Tenant Fee Ban Guidance / Pros and Cons of Zero Deposit Schemes