Gas safety checks - should they be done every 12mths??

lawrie28

Had a friend die from carbon monoxide poisoning in a rented house. I wouldn't pay rent until the safety check is done. Ask the landlord whether he would:
A: want something like that on his conscience, and
B: like the various court appearance afterwards.

These rules are their for a VERY important reason.

anne211981

I have rented privatly a 3 bedroom semi, the LL has never done a gas safty check regardless of being asked to do so. we have never seen a gas saftey cert. in fact the last time he came round was to fix our boiler which has never worked since he put the thing in, over 12 months ago. he just opened the gas cupboard and took the gas pipe off. we have a gas cooker and fire in the front room, neither have been checked in 4 years.

I have reported him to the local council as we received housing benifits. but he has taken little notice of them. the LL is well known for his behaviour yet nothing ever changes.

also i know the LL is corgi registered but i fear his workers who speak very little English are not registered therefore shouldnt be tampering with our boiler full stop.
Also with his failuer to clean the flu in the fire we have black insect falling down it. I fear with have a birds nest in our chimney as i can hear them at night.

Where can i go now, i have reported it to the council and taken it up with a solicitor but i have got nowhere with it. I have a child of 3 and one on the way. its not great environment to have kids in really.

mancbird

I work for a housing association and it THE LAW that a gas safety check must be carried out every 12 months. If (God forbid) something was to happen your landlord would be held personally responsible and could end up in prison.

If I was you I would definitely insist on this taking place and if your landlord doesn't agree to get this done, go to your local CAB (or even your local newspaper!)

Hope you get it all sorted out

tbs624

Anne - as mentioned above, you can (and should) report the LL to the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) - have a look here:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/faqtenant.htm

He will be facing a court appearance plus a very large fine if he fails to comply with his legal obligations to you as his tenant.

Do pursue it - his negligence could make you ill or case a death through carbon monoxide poisoning. He does not have a choice on gas safety, and every tenant deserves better than LLs like these.

Icey77

I rent out my 1 bedroom flat which doesn't even has gas at the property, only electricity. However, I still need to get the electrical appliances checked every 12 months.

My LA would not have allowed the tenancy to go ahead without the check being done.

lovinit

just an update to say i got in touch with the ll who said oh does it need doing dint i give you the certificate? when i explained it needs to be done every 12mths he was like oh does it ill sort it then.
the checks were done the next week and all was ok
i know to keep track of it myself now tho as obviously he isnt
good luck to all you others having issues hope it gets sorted soon