Gas safety remains a priority issue for the Health and Safety Executive, (HSE). Around 30 people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by poorly installed or badly maintained gas appliances and flues.

A recent report from a popular landlord insurance provider confirms that the majority of explosion claims are the result of gas leaks. As a result many landlord insurance providers are publishing information and help sheets for landlords to assist with the protection of their investment.

Landlords have a duty to:

• Maintain gas appliances installed for the use of tenants.
• Ensure such appliances are checked annually.
• Maintain and display these safety check records in the premises.

A landlord cannot delegate their duties under the Regulations to the tenant but the landlord may delegate those duties to a managing agent if applicable.

The Specific Requirements

In summary, the main requirements of the Regulations include that:

• only competent persons may carry out work on a gas fitting
• any employer or self-employed person requiring work to be done on a gas fitting, or in control to any extent of such work, must ensure that the person doing the work is, or employed by, a member of a class of persons approved by the HSE (i.e. a CORGI registered installer. Individuals should carry a current CORGI identity card on which is an expiry date and details of the appliances they are competent to work on. If in any doubt ring CORGI on the number below or check on their website to see if an installer is registered)
• an installer of a gas fitting must ensure that the fitting is suitable for the purpose for which it is to be used.