Landlords: Gas Safety Checks & Legionella Risk Assessments

02/08/2015 11:09

Gas Engineer Gloucester

 

Landlords: Gas Safety Checks & Legionella Risk Assessments

 

Gas at home is somewhat one of the most vital necessities of day to day life. But then, if it is such a crucial component of our everyday life, there is all the reason to ensure that all gas appliances at home should be well maintained and tested by an Gas Safe registered Gas engineer on a regular basis. Faulty gas appliances can be fatal!

 

Where gas is known to deliver high degree of utility, the same gas may also lead to a range of dangerous situations, for instance, when burning incorrectly carbon monoxide can be produced, leading to poisoning. This can be caused by unsafe gas cookers, gas fires, boilers, or central heating systems. Any kind of negligence on part of the owner can lead to fatal consequences and it is highly recommended to ensure that the home is gas safe.

 

If the landlord rents out the property to a tenant, then it is the landlord who has a legal obligation to carry out a gas safety check in the property every 12 months. This landlords gas safety check must be done by an approved engineer who is Gas Safe registered. Once the safety check has been completed, the engineer then issues a certificate that highlights any recommended works needed to ensure that the gas appliances work in a  safe condition and are compliant with the latest legislation.

 

A responsible landlord is one who understands his responsibility towards ensuring the safety of the tenant. The landlord needs to make sure that all gas appliances, fittings and flues are completely safe before handing over the property to the tenant.

 

Out of an array of responsibilities that are expected from a landlord, there happen to be three that are most important:

 

  • The landlord must get a Gas safety check done for to ensure that the tenants are safe. This check should be carried out at least every 12 months.

  • If before or after the gas safety check there happens to be any maintenance issues, then it is the landlord who needs to arrange a competent and registered  gas engineer to attend. The engineer takes responsibility of the situation to ensure that any specified legislation is upheld, the appliance is left in a safe condition and any further guidance from the manufacturers and approved codes of practice are upheld.

  • The records administered by the engineer must be handed over to the existing/new tenants within 28 days of the gas check. The landlord as well as the tenant should have their respective copies of the record and the engineer should also retain copies for the company. The copy may be in paper or electronic format.

There may be cases when the gas appliances that are being used by the tenant have not been provided by the landlord. In such an instance it is the tenants responsibility to have each appliance checked, although it is not mandatory that they do. Tenant owned appliances (such as cookers) will be visually inspected by the gas engineer and under his legal duty of care be inspected further and proven to be safe or made safe.

 

The landlord is expected to give a reasonable amount of notice before a landlords gas safety check conducted. It is important to prepare the tenant for the check and to ensure that the gas engineer is allowed access to the property. During the check, the engineer checks that:

 

  • The gas supply pipe-work throughout the property is not leaking;

  • Gas appliances are completely functional and safe;

  • Gas flues are working safely;

  • Gas appliances have sufficient ventilation.

All Gas Safe engineers have an ID card that contains their registration details. It is very important to ensure that the engineer is qualified to do gas safety work in the home.

 

Apart from getting a gas safety check, landlords of residential accommodation also have a responsibility to combat the risks from Legionella; they need to carry out risk assessments for the Legionella bacteria which can lead to Legionnaires’ disease. This disease is an illness like pneumonia and can be fatal. The infection is caused when someone breathes in small droplets of water that has been contaminated by these bacteria. The key idea is to design, maintain and operate water services that control/prevent the growth/multiplication of the Legionella bacteria. The Legionella bacteria are found in the natural environment and tend to flourish in certain conditions.  Carrying out timely and efficient Legionella risk assessment may show the risks well in time, thus allowing the landlord as well as the tenant to take preventive measures accordingly.

 

Apart from domestic landlords, even employers need to understand the health risks associated with legionella bacteria. These employers need to take the right precautions in order to reduce the risks exposure to legionella. With the help of a timely Legionella risk assessment, it becomes possible to identify sources of risk, assess those sources, manage potential risks, prevent risks, and maintain correct and updated records. After the risk assessment, if it is concluded that there seems to be no probable risk, then the assessment is complete. However, it is important that the existing controls are being maintained; also, the landlord/employer has a legal obligation to ensure that the risk assessment is reviewed regularly. The records for the assessment ought to include details of:

 

  • Person/persons who are responsible for conducting the assessment;

  • Important findings of the risk assessment;

  • The control scheme in written form along with details of its implementation;

  • Details of the state of operation of the system;

  • Results of monitoring inspections and the corresponding dates.

The assessment should be reviewed every two years; however, the validity of the assessment is barred under the following conditions:

 

  • If there have been any changes to the plant or the water system;

  • If there have been any significant changes to the use of the building;

  • If monitoring indicates that the control measures are no longer effective;

  • If any new information regarding risk and control measures is being available;

Thus, at the time of renting a property, it is important that both the tenant as well as the landlord understand the laws about gas safety and legionella risk management. Since it is the landlord’s property, so it is the landlord’s responsibility to get regular gas safety checks and risk assessments of the property to ensure safety of the tenants.

 

If you are looking for a Gas Engineer in Gloucester, Cheltenham or the surrounding areas or a Legionella risk assessment in Cheltenham or Gloucestershire then contact the professionals and contact FORTHRIGHT today!

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