November 18, 2010
Carbon monoxide (CO) Awareness Week has prompted a reminder for landlords of their legal obligation to ensure tenant safety.
All landlords are required by law to have any gas appliances they supply in their properties checked on an annual basis to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Tenants should also be shown where the emergency gas shut off valve is and advised not to block fresh air vents to the room.
CO-Awareness Week, which started on 15 November, helps to raise awareness of the dangers of the gas sometimes referred to as the “silent killer”.
Carbon monoxide is odourless, colourless and tasteless and can kill in as little as two hours after exposure. Prolonged exposure can lead to serious health problems and sufferers may experience flu like symptoms, headaches, tiredness and nausea.
The potentially lethal gas is produced when an appliance such as a fire, which runs on gas, is faulty or has a blocked flume.
Besides the legal obligation of a gas appliance check every 12 months by a qualified individual listed on the Gas Safe Register, anyone wishing to rent out their property must retain any service records for at least two years afterwards.
Carbon monoxide detectors can also be installed for added protection
Richard Price, Director of Operations for The National Landlords Association, said:
“By taking a few simple precautions landlords can ensure appliances are working correctly and tenants will be kept safe.
“The most important thing is to ensure all gas appliances are inspected by a registered gas installer annually. Landlords must give their tenant a copy of the safety check record.
“It’s also up to tenants not to use any appliance known to be unsafe but to either contact their landlord immediately or the gas emergency number on 0800 111 999.
Landlords can take the additional step of installing a carbon monoxide detector in their property, although this is no substitute for proper safety checks.”
