Latest Insurance News
Landlords reminded of need for gas checks
30 Jan 2012
Landlords have been reminded of the need to maintain gas appliances after a man was fined £8,500 for failing to keep a gas fire in good condition.
David Ian Douglas-Law, aged 63, of Penally, was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive after it was found that the gas fire in one of his properties was not in a safe condition, reports the Western Telegraph.
The discovery was made after his tenants originally complained about cold damp conditions. Council officers served Mr Douglas-Law an Improvements Notice under the Housing Act and reported concerns about the gas appliances.
The magistrate said that Mr Douglas-Law had been very lucky that no harm had come to his tenants.
HSE inspector Stephen Jones added: “Where the evidence indicates that landlords such as Mr Douglas-Law have failed to meet their important safety responsibilities, HSE will take enforcement action including prosecution in the courts.”
Landlords have a responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances in their properties are checked once a year and that tenants are given a copy of the safety record.
Posted by Michael Brown
