THE LANDLORDS GUIDE TO THE GAS SAFETY REGULATIONS 1998

The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 came into force on 31st October 1998 consolidating the three previous sets of regulations and making some additional changes. The regulations contain a number of general provisions relating to the supply and installation of gas appliances and equipment, but there are specific provisions relating to Landlords.

Who must comply?

Any Landlord letting property on a lease of less than seven years must comply with the regulations. This will include assured and assured shorthold tenancies, and regulated tenancies both for a fixed period and periodic. The regulations apply to gas appliances owned by the Landlord and any gas appliance or installation pipe work which directly, or indirectly, serve the property. The regulations initially came into force in October 1994 but have been strengthened by amendments in April and October, 1996 and finally by the consolidation in 1998.

What are the requirements?

   1. The Landlord must ensure that any gas fittings and flues which serve the gas fittings of tenanted premises must be maintained         in a safe condition.
   2. Every appliance and flue must be checked for safety within twelve months of installation, and afterwards at intervals of not less         than twelve months since the last safety check.
   3. All work carried out to gas fittings or any safety checks must be done by a suitably qualified installer, currently a Gas Safe         registered installer.
   4. Landlords must keep records for a period of two years from the date of each check and must make available upon request the     original record or a copy of it.
   5. Landlords must give every new tenant at the commencement of the tenancy a copy of the last available record of the safety check.
   6. If the safety check is renewed during the period of the tenancy the Landlord must give every tenant a copy of the safety record         within twenty-eight days of the safety check being due to be carried out.
   7. Any room occupied for sleeping accommodation must not contain a gas fitting unless it is a room sealed appliance.
   8. The Landlord should ensure that instructions are available at the premises for all gas appliances and fittings.

Ventilation

All gas appliances require adequate ventilation in order to ensure correct working and safety. The Landlord must ensure that adequate ventilation is provided at the property and that care has been taken not to block any ventilation duct.

What action is required?

   1. Ensure instruction books are available at the property for all gas appliances.
   2. Get all gas appliances checked by a Corgi registered installer prior to letting the property.
   3. Keep all records of the annual maintenance inspections and of any remedial or other work carried out to the appliances.
   4. Make sure that the annual inspection check is carried out on an annual basis and that the appliances and ventilation are         reviewed regularly to make sure that they are in good working order.

What happens if I fail to comply?

The maximum penalty for non-compliance with the regulations is £5,000.00 and/or six months imprisonment. However, the Landlord should be aware that if there is a fatality he may face prosecution for manslaughter.