Compliance with the law and a sensible approach will prevent you from being a dodgy landlord
A Durham based residential property landlord has been handed a 26 week prison sentence, suspended for 24 months for failing to ensure the gas fittings in one of his properties was safe.
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted the landlord after a gas fire and back boiler was found to be faulty and was leaking poisonous gases into the room in the property in Middlesbrough.
The tenants were in significant danger as it was found the landlord has sealed up the windows and ventilation grills in the room. The landlord was handed down the sentence as he pleaded guilty to the offence of breaching Regulation 36(2) of the Gas Safety Installation and Use Regulations 1998.
It is an offence to offer a property for rent without the system having previously been checked and certified safe by a qualified gas engineer. Remember of course that your insurance policy will probably be invalidated if you do not comply with current legislation so have a chat with your letting agent to ensure you are doing all you need, to comply with the law.