Landlords - Gas Safety Checks

I recently published a blog regarding the obligations of landlords under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1994. To re-cap a landlord is obliged to have all gas appliances checked annually and provide the tenant with a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate.

There are various penalties for failing to comply and following more cases going through the courts it would appear that the Court are taking non-compliance seriously. In two recent cases one landlord was fined £8500 and ordered to pay £1500 costs and another landlord was fined £2000 and ordered to pay costs of £2000 for failure to comply - a huge penalty when you consider that the checks cost less than £100.

Also you may not be aware, but if your tenant is injured as a result of a faulty gas appliance they can bring a claim against you for personal injury, which could in itself cost several thousand pounds in compensation and a possible £6000-£8000 in legal costs.

If you would like any advice on your obligations as a landlord please email me at rbrough@fidler.co.uk

Rebecca