Courts Crack Down on Landlords Flouting Gas Safety

Courts Crack Down on Landlords Flouting Gas Safety

17:03 PM, 30th January 2012, About 12 years ago

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Magistrates are getting tough with landlords who flout gas safety rules by handing down hefty fines.

Buy to let homes with gas heating, hot water and cooking must have an annual inspection by a qualified engineer who issues a certificate.

Landlords must give a copy of the certificate to tenants.

Failing to maintain gas supplies and appliances and not having a certificate is an offence.

David Ian Douglas-Law, aged 63, of Penally, Pembrokeshire, was fined £8,500 and ordered to pay costs of £1,500 by Haverfordwest Magistrates after admitting failing to maintain a gas fire at a letting property.

Following complaints by tenants, he was ordered to improve the property and failed to do so – the gas fire had not had a safety certificate for six years.

Paul Johnston, chief executive of Gas Safe, said: “Landlords have a duty to ensure that their gas appliances in a property are safe to use – this means ensuring an annual gas safety check is carried out by a suitably qualified Gas Safe registered engineer.

“It also means being able to provide tenants with an up to date gas safety record. It is important that tenants also know their rights when it comes to gas safety issues and aren’t afraid to ask to see evidence that gas appliances have been checked and are safe.”

Meanwhile, a Bradford property developer who tried to fraudulently claim ownership of four derelict properties has to pay pack £140,000 or face an extra 27 months in jail.

Mohammed Alyas, 45, was jailed for three years four months for conspiracy to defraud in 2007.

After a two-day proceeds of crime confiscation hearing at Bradford Crown Court, he has been given three months to pay back the money he raised from selling one of the properties.


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