Co-landlords fined for gas safety problems
News Category: Legal
Published: 22-Sep-2010
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A husband and wife team of co-landlords have been fined after they admitted breaching gas safety regulations.
Atulkulmar Ratilal Patel and Chetna Atulkulmar Patel were told to pay a combined total of £6,500 as well as contributing £1,800 towards the cost of the court case.
Mr Patel illegally replaced the boiler in two of the properties he rented out, while also not being on the Gas Safe Register.
Ian Whittles, inspector for the Health and Safety Executive, stated that as landlords of the homes, Mr and Mrs Patel had a duty to ensure that gas work was carried out safely by a registered engineer.
"Landlords must also provide proof that boilers have been checked for safety every year," he added.
The case coincides with comments from letting agent body Arla, which stated that the government needs to bring in new regulations for landlords in order to protect tenants.
Research by the organisation found that only 15 landlords have been prosecuted for breaking regulations regarding licensing.
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