Property management warning on gas safety

News Category: Legal

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Landlords and letting agents have been urged to treat gas safety as a top priority.

Peter Eldridge, chief executive of Gas Safe Register (GSF), which will replace CORGI as the official industry stamp for gas safety from April 1st, told property website 24Dash.com that landlords have a legal duty to protect their tenants.

He said landlords will need to use accredited GSF engineers to carry out safety checks and gas work on properties from this date.

"All gas equipment, including any appliance left by a previous tenant, must be checked for safety or removed from the property before you re-let it," Mr Eldridge added.

The move comes after research by GSF last month found that more than 40 per cent of individuals were prepared to fit new gas appliances themselves - despite the safety risks.

Ann Robinson, director of public awareness for the body, warned homeowners that DIY gas work to save money during the current economic climate would risk the lives of anyone living in the property.

How to stay legally compliant with letting agency software.