Frequently asked questions – Gas Safety

1. What does the law say?
Landlords are responsible for the safety of their tenants. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 specifically deal with the duties of landlords to ensure that gas appliances, fittings and flues provided for tenants' use are safe.

2. I rent out holiday accommodation, what are my responsibilities?
Landlords are the people with ultimate responsibility to ensure that they are operating legally.

3. What are my legal requirements?
As a landlord, you have a duty to ensure that any installation, maintenance or safety checks to appliances and fittings are carried out by a competent person; and that gas fittings and flues are maintained in a safe condition.

Annual safety checks must be carried out on each gas appliance and flue. These safety checks are not only legal requirements, they ensure that appliances are working correctly and guard against the dangers of carbon monoxide.

You must give your tenants a copy of the gas safety certificate within 28 days of the safety check being carried out or, before they move in.

You must not use, or allow the use of, any gas appliance or fittings you know or suspect to be unsafe, and you are obliged to show your tenants how they turn off the gas supply in the event of a leak.

4. I know that Carbon Monoxide is poisonous, what causes it?
Carbon Monoxide can be produced when gas does not burn properly, a gas appliance has not been properly installed or maintained, or a flue or chimney has become blocked.

5. Are there any danger signals that I should look out for?
If a CO detector is activated. Yellow or brown staining around appliances, pilot lights blowing out, increased condensation, yellow rather than blue flame (apart from flueless fires). If anyone staying in your accommodation complains of feeling unwell; although the symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to those of many common ailments such as flu, or general tiredness.

6. What should I do if I think an appliance is emitting Carbon Monoxide?
Switch off the appliance, open doors and windows, and do not use until it has been examined by a competent person. If a person has been exposed they should seek urgent medical advice.

7. Who would be classified as a competent person?

A Gas Safe registered engineer.





8. How can I check that they are competent?
To verify whether someone is a Gas Safe registered engineer, check their photo identification, licence and registration number, trading title, and expiry date of their card. Details of the areas of gas work the person is able to undertake are on the reverse of this card. You could also phone Gas Safety Register, or check the website.

Yes, any record or certificate of a gas safety check is valid for 12 months, even if it says CORGI on it or carries a CORGI logo.

11. Do I need to keep records?
Yes, a record of each safety check should be kept for at least two years. In holiday accommodation it may also be a good idea to have copies of the documentation to reassure the guests.

12. Who enforces this law?
If you own a hotel, guest house, or caravan park, you will occasionally be visited by an officer from the Isle of Wight Council who, as part of their routine inspection, will focus on various aspects of health and safety which may include gas safety, and you will be informed of any areas of non compliance. An inspector may also visit your premises as part of an accident investigation, or following a complaint.

13. What will happen as a result of their visit?
The officer will take a number of factors into consideration, and as well as informing you verbally of any contraventions, you will receive written confirmation of what is required and a timescale will be specified. Other enforcement options may include, issuing prohibition or improvement notices, or, prosecution for the most serious offences.
In addition to outlining your legal obligations, advice may also be given in the form of recommendations which may help you to improve health and safety.

14. What else will happen if I do not comply?
Landlords who breach gas safety laws put lives at risk.

15. Do my guests have any responsibilities?
Guests must not misuse or interfere with any appliance, and there should be clear instructions of how they report defects. They would be responsible for the maintenance and safety of appliances they own, however they should be discouraged from bringing such appliances onto your premises.

Gas Safety Register: Website: www.gassafetyregister.co.uk

Telephone: 0800 408 5500
Email: [email protected]

Health and Safety Executive: www.hse.gov.uk
Ask an Expert: Tel 0845 345 0055

Gas Safety advice line: 0800 300 363 (Freephone service).

IOW Environmental Health Department: (01983) 823000

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