Though most landlords are aware they have responsibilities when it comes to gas safety in rental properties, not all tenants are aware that they have responsibilities, too.

Badly fitted and poorly serviced gas appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. CO is a highly poisonous gas that can kill quickly and without warning, as you cannot see it, taste it or smell it.

By taking care of your gas appliances properly, you are taking care of your home and your loved ones.

Follow these few simple checks to keep you and your family safe:

• Make sure your landlord or letting agent has supplied you with a copy of a Landlord’s Gas Safety Certificate. It is a legal requirement for gas safety checks to be conducted annually, and your landlord or letting agent should be instructing an engineer to contact you to come and take a look every year.
• Check any gas appliances you own every year. Your landlord is not responsible for gas appliances that you own, so you should arrange for these to be safety-checked once a year and serviced regularly by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Set a reminder so you don’t forget at StayGasSafe.co.uk. Your landlord or letting agent should be able to recommend a qualified engineer to you.
• Check your engineer is Gas Safe registered. You can find or check an engineer at GasSafeRegister.co.uk or call 0800 408 5500, or ask to see their Gas Safe ID card when they arrive.
• Check your engineer is qualified for the type of gas work you need doing e.g. natural gas, domestic boiler. You can find this information on the back of their Gas Safe ID card and the Gas Safe Register website.
• Check for warning signs that could indicate appliances in your rental home are not working correctly. Signs may include lazy yellow /orange flames instead of crisp blue ones, black marks on or around the appliance, a pilot light that keeps going out, and too much condensation in the room.
• Know the six main symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning – headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, collapse and loss of consciousness.
• Install an audible carbon monoxide alarm and make sure your friends and relatives have one too. Check they are marked EN50291 and display the British Standards’ Kitemark. It is not a legal requirement for landlords in Wales to supply these for you.

For Further Information

For gas safety advice and to find or check an engineer visit the Gas Safe Register website at GasSafeRegister.co.uk. Alternatively call the free helpline on 0800 408 5500.

If you are looking for a recommendation for a qualified, professional gas engineer, please give the McCartan team a call on 01792 430100, or click here to send an email.

Source: Gas Safe Register

Related: Gas Safety Week – Fighting to Raise Landlord Awareness / Is Your Landlord Gas Safety Certificate Valid?