Propertymark pledges support for Gas Safety Week

Landlords are being urged to check that their gas appliances are safe by understanding the law.

The call comes from Propertymark who are supporting Gas Safety Week which is now in its 12^th year.

The event will see organisations across various industries come together for one common goal – to help keep the nation gas safe.

It is taking place between the 12th–18th September and Propertymark are helping the national campaign to spread awareness among letting agents and landlords about the importance of gas safety.

Educating landlords on their legal gas safety obligations

They say that their member agents have a great deal of responsibility when it comes to ensuring gas appliances are safe and should prioritise educating landlords on their legal gas safety obligations.

As part of their Gas Safety Week efforts, Propertymark says that when it comes to gas safety, landlords should ensure:

Gas pipework, appliances and flues provided for tenants are maintained in a safe condition

All gas appliances and flues provided for tenants’ use have an annual safety check. Tenants can report landlords to the HSE for not providing one

A Gas Safety Record is provided to the tenant within 28 days of completing the check, or to any new tenant before they move in

Keep a copy of the Gas Safety Record until two further checks have taken place

Have maintenance and annual safety checks carried out by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer

All gas equipment (including any appliance left by a previous tenant) is safe or otherwise removed before re-letting

Understand that poorly maintained gas appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions, and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas

Landlords will be reminded that carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that has no smell or taste and breathing it in can make you feel unwell – and it can kill if someone is exposed to high levels, such as those emitted from a gas safety leak in a home.

Awareness campaigns such as Gas Safety Week have contributed to reducing the number of illnesses caused by carbon monoxide poisoning but Propertymark says there is still plenty of more work to be done.

Nathan Emerson, Propertymark’s chief executive, said: “We’re proud to support the Gas Safe Register in its campaign again this year.

“We understand the importance of education when it comes to gas safety and by spreading this vital information, especially to agents and landlords, we can limit the devastating impact that unsafe appliances can have.”