A tragic incident in Derby has underlined how important it is that landlords
undertake regular checks of any appliances installed in rental properties.
Toxic fumes leaked from a faulty gas boiler in a buy to let property, killing
one tenant and leaving two other people seriously ill from carbon monoxide
poisoning.
Condemned Boiler
The court heard that the boiler installed in the buy to let property had not
been serviced for four years. In fact a gas engineer, who had been to the
property to install a new gas meter, had previously condemned the boiler.
Unfortunately, although the utility company had written to the landlord, the
tenant had not passed on the letter and had decided to reconnect the boiler
because there was no other form of heating.
The landlord was given a 16-month prison sentence, which was suspended for two
years, plus 200 hours of unpaid community service. She was also fined £4,000
and ordered to pay costs of £17,500.
Court Finds Landlord at Fault
The court heard that the landlord had failed in her statutory duty and had not
had the gas appliances in the property checked every year to ensure they were
safe, as she should have done. It was only by sheer good luck that a friend of
the tenant came to visit the property and summoned help, otherwise there could
have been a triple fatality.
Landlord’s Responsibility
Landlords are obliged by law to have gas fixtures and fittings safety checked
and serviced at least once per year. A qualified Gas Safe engineer should
carry out the work.
