HSE warns landlords on gas

Landlords in Belfast and Northern Ireland may have to call in solicitors if they do not heed the latest warning on gas appliances from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

People providing tenancies in Belfast and Northern Ireland are legally required to have their tenants' gas appliances and flues maintained, with yearly safety checks carried out by a CORGI registered gas installer, the HSE advises.

The HSE has issued this warning after Lea Field was convicted of ignoring an improvement notice served on her.

Grimsby Crown Court sentenced Ms Field to 200 hours community service and fined her £500 after she breached Health and Safety at Work regulations.

Following the hearing, HSE inspector Chris Chambers said: "Landlords can't hide their heads in the sand when it comes to gas safety.

"It's their legal duty to ensure that all gas appliances and flues are maintained in a safe condition and are checked for safety at least once a year by a CORGI registered gas installer. Landlords who fail to do so put lives at risk and may end up with a substantial fine or even imprisonment."

Landlords in Belfast and Northern Ireland can find out their health and safety obligations from their solicitors rather than risk a professional negligence claim.

Last year, research by the HSE showed that 45 per cent of households were unaware of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning from gas appliances.



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