Gas And Plumbing Safety In Rental Property
Below is a list of Landlord FAQ's related to the topic Gas And Plumbing Safety In Rental Property. If you have the brains or the curiosity, feel free to answer or add additional answers to the questions.
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Gas And Plumbing Safety In Rental Property
Do I still need to get a Gas Safety Certificate even if the property has no gas appliances?
ANSWER 1:
If the property is truly electric only (i.e. as well as no gas appliances, also has no gas boiler or any gas pipework) then no, you don't need a gas safely certificate.
My tenant is complaining that the shower water becomes cold when someone flushes the toilet or uses the tap at the same time- the hot water in the shower stops for about 2-3 minutes and then returns back to regular temperature. Am I legally required to fix this?
ANSWER 1:
If you made the tenants aware of this problem before they signed the AST then they would normally be seen to have accepted the limitations of the system. Problem occurs if you don't tell them and they hurt themselves because the lovely hot shower suddenly went freezing cold and in shock they stumbled backwards, fell out of the shower/bath and knocked themselves out on the loo! Far fetched? You just ask the hundreds of 'where there's blame theres a claim' lawyers in the UK!
This used to be common on old systems where the water was held in an immersion heater. Modern pressurised central heating systems such as combination boilers are not so affected by this as they are more balanced in their delivery of water. Modern showers for combi boilers normally react very quickly to sudden changes in hot/cold conditions so the problem is a lot less.
Electrically operated showers can cause the water to become very hot if cold water pressure is too low and a cold water tap is turned on elsewhere in the property. Once again the spectre of litigations rears it's ugly head should your Tenant become scalded.
Short answer is it's probably best to get an expert plumber in to see if there is anything they can do to fix the issue before it becomes a problem. The thing to ask yourself as a Landlord is: How would I feel if it happend to me on a regular basis? Would my life be made easier and my tenant relations improved if I spent a few quid to repair the problem?
My landlord has not had our gas appliances tested. Can I do anything about this?
ANSWER 1:
The landlord is obligated to do this under the gas regulations and failure to have appliances tested annually is a ciminal offence. The landlord may not realise this, so you could gently remind him. If he still refuses, the people to compalin to are your local heath and safety executive.
Is the landlord responsible for all gas appliances in the property?
ANSWER 1:
The landlord must ensure that any gas fittings and appliances provided in the accommodation are safe.
the landlord must arrange and pay for safety checks and any necessary work to be carried out on appliances at least once every twelve months. The checks must be carried out by a person who is registered with the gas safe register.
I believe the property I am renting doesn't have efficient heat. It's freezing to the point where we can see our breathe when we breath. We only have 2 electric heaters. Is the landlord responsible for providing efficient heat?
ANSWER 1:
Contact the housing officer of your local authority. They can arrange for your property to be inspected under the housing health and safety rating system. If they find that the property is not up to standard they will serve an improvement order on your landlord.
Our heating and water system is not working correctly. In 4 months time I will be giving birth to a baby. Landlord is refusing to do anything. Is it law that he has to?
ANSWER 1:
Yes, under section 11 of the landlord & tenant act 1985 he is obliged to keep the installations for the supply of space and water heating in repair. You can go to court (the county court) and get an injunction ordering him to do this and claim compensation for the period of time when the system was in disrepair. Also you can ask the local authority housing officer to arrange for you to have the property inspected under the housing health and safety rating system. If they find any "category 1 hazards" they will serve an improvement notice on your landlord requiring him to bring the property up to standard. If he fails to do this, they can prosecute him in the magistrates court. This course of action will not cost you anything, but may not be particularly quick.
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