The Key Details of the Regulations
- Applies to Landlords and Managing Agents for any let or part let residential property
- Requires all gas appliances and installation pipework in every let or part let property to be checked at intervals not exceeding twelve months by an engineer approved by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) (currently only GAS SAFE) who on completion authorises the issue of a safety certificate.
- Gives the Tenant the right to inspect the certificate
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Applies to individual Landlords, Local Authorities, Property Companies, Housing Associations, Charities and any other individuals or corporate bodies who are Landlords of residential properties.
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Includes rooms which are let, self-contained flats and houses
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The Only exemptions are temporary buildings, unless they are used for residential purposes or as sleeping accommodation, and properties with an HSE exemption certificate
Properties and Systems to Which the Regulations Apply
- Any let or part let residential property where gas appliances or installation pipework is installed
- Applies to all gas appliances including boilers and cookers owned by the Landlord
- Applies to natural gas and LPG systems
- Applies to communal systems in blocks of flats where one or more flats is let
- Applies to portable gas appliances
Problems Over Access to the Property
- The Regulations are specific in that it is the responsibility of the Landlord to ensure that all gas appliances and installation pipework are checked at minimum intervals of twelve months
The Penalties for Non-Compliance
- Landlords can be convicted , and so can Managing agents if they are in breach of their management agreements to maintain gas appliances
- Breach of the regulations is a criminal offence
- The HSE are empowered to bring proceedings
- Penalties for non-compliance can bring fines of up to £20,000
- Non-compliance could imply responsibility for any gas related incident through negligence
- Liability for an incident could bring charges for manslaughter in very severe cases leading to substantial fines or even imprisonment
- Insurance cover may well be invalidated by failure to comply with the Regulations
For further information or to find a GAS SAFE register engineer, go to the GAS SAFE website.
or contact the Health and Safety Executive