Gas safety for tenants: What you need to know

When you rent a property, you expect it to be in a reasonable, safe and habitable condition. In fact, your right to have a safe place to live is protected by law. Landlords must meet their health and safety, gas and fire safety obligations.

But what exactly are your rights as a tenant in relation to gas safety, and what should your landlord be doing to protect you and the property? Let’s take a look in this guide.

The dangers of gas leaks in the home

To understand why it’s so crucial (and legally required) for landlords to take gas safety seriously, consider what could happen if something goes wrong. All of the following are serious red flags:

• Badly fitted gas appliances
• Faulty gas appliances
• Blocked chimneys and flues
• Poorly fitted gas pipework
• Inadequate ventilation near gas appliances and fires.

If there’s a gas leak of any kind, it can lead to a dangerous buildup of carbon monoxide in the home. You won’t be able to smell, taste or see the gas, but it can be fatal.

Carbon monoxide poisoning causes headaches (often mistaken for hangover headaches, particularly in student properties) or flu-like symptoms. If left unchecked, these symptoms escalate into nausea, dizziness, shortage of breath, collapse and loss of consciousness.

This is why gas safety for tenants in rented properties is so very important.

Gas safety advice for tenants – what are your landlord’s responsibilities?

There are a set of checks and measures your landlord is legally obliged to take care of when you rent a property from them. Let’s take a look at what your landlord should be doing, so you can take action if they aren’t.

Annual gas safety checks

One of your landlord’s main responsibilities in relation to gas safety is a thorough annual check by a qualified and certified Gas Safe registered engineer.

This annual gas safety check is to make sure that all gas appliances are safe, in good condition and in a fit state to be used. The check includes:

• A visual inspection of all pipework
• A ‘tightness test’ to check for gas leaks
• Checking gas appliances to make sure they’re suitable for the room they’re in, are securely fitted, properly connected to the gas network and are adjusted so that the gas burns properly
• Checking that all flues, chimneys and air vents are working properly and aren’t blocked or impeded in any way
• Making sure there’s an adequate air supply for each appliance
• Testing any safety devices, such as carbon monoxide detectors
• Immediately shutting off any appliances if it is found to be faulty or leaking.

When your landlord books a gas safety check, it’s a good idea to check the ID of the Gas Safe engineer who comes to the door, just to make sure they are who they say they are.

Once the gas safety check is finished, the engineer will give your landlord a Gas Safety Record. This is a list of all the appliances and other items that have been checked. Your landlord is legally required to give you a copy of the record within 28 days of the gas safety check.

Using a Gas Safe engineer to install appliances and pipework

If your cooker or boiler has packed in and your landlord needs to replace it, they’ll need to use a registered Gas Safe engineer to do so.

The same goes for any pipework or heating appliances, as well as maintenance if any appliances develop a fault.

Do you need a carbon monoxide detector in a rented property?

Landlords in the private sector are legally required to have a carbon monoxide alarm in any room where solid fuel is used. Solid fuel means wood or coal, so usually applies to open or wood-burning fireplaces. If your landlord doesn’t do this, they could face a fine of up to £5,000.

Unfortunately, the rules don’t apply to other gas-using appliances. So if you don’t have a solid fuel-burning appliance, your landlord doesn’t have to provide you with carbon monoxide alarms.

But this doesn’t mean that you don’t need one. A carbon monoxide alarm is relatively cheap to buy at around £20, and it could potentially save your life. When shopping for a CO detector, make sure it has the British Standards Kitemark and is marked BS EN 50291, as this ensures it meets the required standards.

Once you have your carbon monoxide detectors, place them in every room which has a gas appliance. For example, the kitchen near your oven, or wherever your boiler is housed.

Can I sue my landlord for no gas safety check?

If your landlord isn’t carrying out the legally required annual gas safety check on your rented property and there is no gas safety certificate for the tenant, you can complain to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). It’s a criminal offence for landlords to neglect their gas safety responsibilities, and they can be prosecuted.

You can also report your landlord to your local authority.

Warning signs of a gas safety issue

Worried about gas safety? Just keep an eye out for these tell-tale signs of a gas leak or other problem that needs to be checked out:

• An appliance such as a cooker that doesn’t seem to be working properly
• Hob burners which produce a ‘floppy’ yellow flame, rather than an upright, crisp blue flame
• The pilot light on your boiler keeps going out
• Increased condensation on the inside of your windows
• Black or brown marks around the appliance.

And of course, if you’ve been experiencing headaches or any of the other symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, take immediate action.

FAQs

Who is responsible for gas safety if I rent through an agent?

Your agent and the landlord of your property will have a contract setting out the responsibilities of each party. This agreement should clearly specify who is responsible for gas safety, as well as other H&S and fire safety matters.

How do I complain to HSE if my landlord is neglecting gas safety responsibilities?

The first thing to do is to head to the HSE website. Here, you can get information and guidance, and download the official complaints form.

How do I know if an engineer is Gas Safe?

Always check the ID of any engineer who turns up at your property. Take a look at our handy guide for advice.