If you're a landlord renting out property to private tenants, then it's your responsibility to ensure that your occupants are safe and that any appliances in your house are fit for purpose. Perhaps the most important checks you must have carried out are an annual boiler service and gas safety inspection.
In 1998, the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations were introduced in the UK; this made the safety of boilers, gas fires, gas fittings and flues a legal compliance issue for those letting property to others - and for your inspection to stand legally, it's also imperative that you use a properly qualified heating engineer. If you're offered a gas safety inspection by an engineer who can't prove that they're Gas Safe registered, then don't waste your money - because your gas safety certificate won't be worth the paper it's written on.
Before allowing your Gas Safe engineer to commence work, it's worth checking their credentials even further; their registration card will contain details of the type of gas related work they're qualified to carry out, so check that theirs covers your particular requirements.
When new tenants move in - proving your appliances are safe
Every time you rent your property to a new tenant, you're required to present them with a valid copy of a gas safety inspection certificate. While it's not mandatory, it's also a good idea to use this transitional period to have your appliances checked - especially if it looks like they've been adjusted or tampered with in any way by the previous occupants. If your old tenants have left behind any kind of gas-fuelled equipment of their own and you intend to leave it in the property, make sure you get this checked by a Gas Safe engineer too. If you don't want the expense, then it's best to err on the side of caution and dispose of it.
An annual boiler service can save you money
In addition to the legal aspects outlined above, there are other benefits of looking after your gas appliances too. A well maintained boiler is generally a much more efficient boiler and an annual boiler service will help to keep your equipment running smoothly. By servicing your boiler every year, you'll reduce your risk of it breaking down before its time - and with the cost of replacement being quite substantial, this small yearly outlay is much more cost-effective in the long run.
The ultimate reason for having a gas safety inspection
Regardless of cost savings or your legal responsibilities, there is one reason above all others that you should keep up with your gas safety inspections. A neglected boiler can be prone to start leaking carbon monoxide; it's tasteless, odourless and you can't see it either, but a build up of carbon monoxide can lead to severe sickness, a coma and in the worst case scenario, death. Ask yourself: would you want that on your conscience?
In 1998, the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations were introduced in the UK; this made the safety of boilers, gas fires, gas fittings and flues a legal compliance issue for those letting property to others - and for your inspection to stand legally, it's also imperative that you use a properly qualified heating engineer. If you're offered a gas safety inspection by an engineer who can't prove that they're Gas Safe registered, then don't waste your money - because your gas safety certificate won't be worth the paper it's written on.
Before allowing your Gas Safe engineer to commence work, it's worth checking their credentials even further; their registration card will contain details of the type of gas related work they're qualified to carry out, so check that theirs covers your particular requirements.
When new tenants move in - proving your appliances are safe
Every time you rent your property to a new tenant, you're required to present them with a valid copy of a gas safety inspection certificate. While it's not mandatory, it's also a good idea to use this transitional period to have your appliances checked - especially if it looks like they've been adjusted or tampered with in any way by the previous occupants. If your old tenants have left behind any kind of gas-fuelled equipment of their own and you intend to leave it in the property, make sure you get this checked by a Gas Safe engineer too. If you don't want the expense, then it's best to err on the side of caution and dispose of it.
An annual boiler service can save you money
In addition to the legal aspects outlined above, there are other benefits of looking after your gas appliances too. A well maintained boiler is generally a much more efficient boiler and an annual boiler service will help to keep your equipment running smoothly. By servicing your boiler every year, you'll reduce your risk of it breaking down before its time - and with the cost of replacement being quite substantial, this small yearly outlay is much more cost-effective in the long run.
The ultimate reason for having a gas safety inspection
Regardless of cost savings or your legal responsibilities, there is one reason above all others that you should keep up with your gas safety inspections. A neglected boiler can be prone to start leaking carbon monoxide; it's tasteless, odourless and you can't see it either, but a build up of carbon monoxide can lead to severe sickness, a coma and in the worst case scenario, death. Ask yourself: would you want that on your conscience?
More information is available on gas safety inspections http://saiinspection.com.cn/
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