Gas Safety Awareness Week 2022: Everything landlords need to know
The week of the 12th-18th September 2022 is the twelfth annual Gas Safety Week, an awareness campaign coordinated by the Gas Safe Register, with landlords being reminded of their gas safety obligations.
Landlords are responsible for making sure all gas appliances, including the installation of pipe or flues, are maintained in a safe condition throughout the entire time the property is occupied.
Landlords of rented residential accommodation must have an annual gas safety check carried out on gas appliances which they provide (and all related gas flues). This work must be performed by a Gas Safe Registered Engineer, and once the check has been performed the landlord will receive a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate (or CP12 as it is often referred to) from the engineer.
Failure to comply with these requirements may mean a property may not be safe to live in, and it is essential to ensure the property is gas safe.
Changes ahead
This year, landlords are also reminded that changes to the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 are imminent.
From 1st October, all privately rented homes in England must have a carbon monoxide detector in every room that has a fuel-burning appliance.
At present, CO alarms are only required in rooms with a solid fuel appliance, for example a coal or log fire.
These rules are changing, with amendments to the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 meaning that it will soon be a legal requirement for CO alarms to also be fitted in rooms with appliances such as boilers or gas fires.
However, rooms where the only fuel-burning appliance present is a gas cooker, are exempt.
While the legislation does not define a gas cooker precisely, the Government guidance states it is 'any apparatus heated by gas and used for cooking food.'
This is the situation in England, members can read more in our guidance for landlords here.
Landlord in Wales? Read more about upcoming changes relating to smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms in our guide. These changes will be introduced when the Renting Homes (Wales) Act comes into force, on 1st December 2022.
Gas safety in the home
As part of the annual awareness week, Gas Safety Register has also reiterated the importance that gas work is done by a qualified engineer, stating:
“Before any gas work is carried out always check the engineer is qualified to carry out the work that needs doing e.g., natural gas, domestic boiler. You can find this information on the Gas Safe Register website or by checking the back of the engineer’s Gas Safe ID card. Encourage your tenants to also check the card when the engineer arrives at the property, and to be aware of any warning signs that their gas appliance is working incorrectly, such as dark or sooty staining, excess condensation and pilot lights which frequently blow out.”
Gas Safety resources for landlords
The NRLA has plenty of useful resources for landlords to learn more about their gas safety responsibilities. This includes a detailed guide for members.
On 26th September 2022, the NRLA will also be running an eClassroom Legislation Update course. This course will cover upcoming changes to legislation, including the changes around gas safety rules.
Our Landlords Fundamentals course also touches upon landlords' gas safety responsibilities.
To learn more about Gas Safety Week, visit the Gas Safety Week website where you can pledge your support, get campaign materials, and benefit from lots of other free advice.
Keep up to date with Gas Safe Register’s advice throughout the week by following @GasSafeRegister on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and search the official hashtag #GSW22.