General maintenance of appliances and pipework
The annual gas safety check is different to a gas service, which is a much more in-depth inspection
The annual gas safety check is different to a gas service, which is a much more in-depth inspection.
Gas appliances and flues should be serviced according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
If you don’t have access to these, the Gas Safe Register recommends you have a service every 12 months, unless one of their registered engineers advises otherwise.
If gas appliances are not properly maintained and you don’t comply with your legal duty to keep the gas fittings and appliances in a safe condition, the worst-case scenario is the death of a tenant.
For instance, if flues and pipework become blocked, gases and fumes can’t escape properly to the outside. That can lead to a build-up of carbon monoxide inside the property, which can be fatal.
Carbon monoxide can’t be smelled or tasted, meaning it often goes undetected.
And the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning aren’t always obvious, especially during low-level exposure, when it could be mistaken for food poisoning or flu. Common symptoms include:
A tension-type headache
Dizziness
Feeling and being sick
Tiredness and confusion
Stomach pain
Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing
It’s a legal requirement for all landlords to install a carbon monoxide alarm in any room used as living accommodation where there is a fuel burning appliance – e.g. a gas fire, wood-burning stove or coal fire.
The CO2 alarm (along with smoke alarms) must be tested at the start of each new tenancy to make sure they’re in working order.
See the Government’s guide for landlords and tenants: The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022: guidance for landlords and tenants.
This was updated in July 2022. New rules came into force on 1 October 2022.
Since that date, all relevant landlords must: 1. Make sure at least one smoke alarm is equipped on each storey of their homes where there is a room used as living accommodation. This has been a legal requirement in the private rented sector since 2015.2. Make sure a carbon monoxide alarm is equipped in any room used as living accommodation which contains a fixed combustion (appliance excluding gas cookers). However, it is advisable to provide one for gas cookers, even though this is not a legal requirement.3. Make sure smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are repaired or replaced once informed and found that they are faulty.Read more about smoke and carbon monoxide regulations for rented properties.
Read more about smoke and carbon monoxide regulations for rented properties.
Gas Safety Week runs every September, with the goal of keeping the nation safe.
You can find out lots of tips and get a free email or text reminder about the annual safety check by visiting the Gas Safety Week website.
#GasSafetyWeek
