The number of rental properties in the UK has gone up in the past two decades. This is evident by the fact that in 2000 the number of households occupied by private property rental was 2.03 million, this number has nearly doubled. In 2023, rental properties occupied stood at 6.4 million.
These numbers indicate a more significant trend: Individuals and families are finding it increasingly difficult to own a house and opting for rental properties instead. With rising living costs, owning a home has become a challenge, which is the main reason behind the boom in the rental property market.
While this is good news for landlords, as they can earn a handsome income by simply lending out a property, the arrangement could be more convenient. Landlords are responsible for maintaining the property. Expenditure on repairs and regular maintenance are necessary.
Additionally, the landlord must complete all the legal work and documentation relating to the property. This again involves a cost in terms of time and effort, along with monetary one.
Among the duties of a landlord is ensuring gas safety. Gas is an everyday utility, much like electricity. It is present in most properties as it is essential for cooking and heating. Rental properties must be optimized for gas safety to prevent any hazards that the absence of safety may pose.
Gas-related incidents have decreased; however, we can never discount the risk entirely. Gas safety implies all the measures property owners can take to prevent gas-related incidents. These include some mandatory measures and voluntary ones.
Let us briefly list the key reasons why gas safety is necessary for rental properties:
Gas safety keeps the tenants and landlord secure, as they cannot be held liable for damages if gas safety protocols are followed. Although it is impossible to be completely immune from gas-related incidents, as is the case with any such hazards, there are ways to minimize the possibility to a large extent.
Here are tips you must follow to maintain gas safety in rental properties to prevent any gas-related incidents:
Gas safety should be a concern from the very beginning. You must consider all the safety features when planning and building a property. Gas and electricity-related jobs specifically require professionals. You cannot DIY such projects.
Always hire experts to install and maintain your gas connections and appliances. Gas engineers know how to do their job and have a deep understanding of how to do it while minimizing risks. They follow safety protocols that most people need to be made aware of. This ensures gas safety not only while they are doing gas-related work, but also afterward as the gas appliances are used and the gas connections undergo wear and tear.
Most gas-related incidents can be avoided if you keep your gas connection and appliances in good working condition. However, if you detect a problem anywhere in your gas connection system, even something as insignificant as a faulty pipe, immediate action is necessary.
These issues can exacerbate quickly and may get out of hand. You want to avoid delaying a simple repair job because it may result in disaster. You do not want to endanger the lives of the residents on your property by putting off minor yet necessary repairs.
The good thing is that timely repairs can also save you money. Experts charge based on the time required to complete a job and its complexity. Getting repairs on time usually reduces both the time and complexity of the task and reduces the cost of hiring an expert.
It would be best if you always hoped for the best, but ventilation can be a lifesaver in case of a gas leak. Homes must follow certain guidelines to ensure proper ventilation. A sound ventilation system allows fresh air to enter the property and replace the existing air.
This recycling of air is a preventative tool against gas leakage, in particular, as it prevents the high concentration of carbon monoxide that can be injurious or even lethal. It is a simple solution, as you will need to plan out windows and flues so that fresh air can circulate inside freely.
Ventilation is, again, a feature that must be incorporated from the very beginning of planning and conceiving a structure. You can improve upon the ventilation system later on, but this is costly and time-consuming.
Another critical aspect is maintaining the ventilation system. This includes cleaning the vents and flues to prevent clogging. Doing this will make your ventilation system work efficiently.
Pay attention to the gas pressure as it could indicate a serious problem. This is an important point that tenants, in particular, must bear in mind. Landlords may be the owners of rental properties, but the property residents are the tenants. It is, as a result, the job of the tenants to report any changes in the gas pressure as it may be indicative of a more serious problem.
A sudden and unexplained decrease in gas pressure can be a sign of a gas leak. Reduced pressure means that the gas is following elsewhere before reaching its destination. Since natural gas is invisible and hard to detect without using special equipment, we must rely on our sense of smell and the gas pressure that is present.
One of the most important ways in which you can get improved gas safety is by having an annual gas safety check done. Gas safety checks are mandatory for rental properties. Landlords must get a gas safety check and submit a copy of the certificate to the tenants.
Gas safety checks are conducted by registered gas engineers. The process involves a detailed inspection of the gas connections and appliances. Checks enable gas safety professionals to identify possible areas of concern and provide advice on how to make gas safety provisions more robust and foolproof.
Annual gas checks are an excellent way for homeowners to monitor the efficacy of gas safety measures in place. It is proof that the landlord is concerned about gas safety and is constantly monitoring to ensure that the rental property is safe for the tenants to reside in.
Another easy-to-implement safety feature is the use of carbon monoxide detectors. These are affordable devices similar to smoke detectors. Carbon monoxide detectors are fitted with sensors that identify dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide in the air.
Carbon monoxide detectors are great for identifying gas leaks and raising an alarm if such a situation arises. They are affordable and can be installed by anyone. You just need to make sure that the carbon monoxide detectors have batteries so the device is working fine at all times.
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As they own the property the maintenance and upkeep of the rental property is the responsibility of the landlords. However, tenants also have some responsibilities as the residents of the property.
Tenants must remain attentive and identify when repairs or maintenance work is needed on a property. promptly informing the landlord of a potential issue is an obligation that tenants must fulfill. They must request the landlord to provide them with a valid copy of the gas safety certificate as it is required by law.
Awareness and quickness in reporting any problems can prevent the worst from happening. Gas-related problems can become very serious very quickly tenants must be educated on how to deal with emergencies.
They must also request the landlords to give a detailed overview of the electricity and gas connection systems in the house. This way tenants can regularly inspect for themselves and take appropriate actions like shutting the mains and informing the landlord.
Gas safety is not an individual-specific role. Yes, landlords and tenants have different sets of responsibilities, yet these are complimentary. Only after tenants have raised an alarm can the landlord take corrective measures.
Every individual must have a basic understanding of gas safety and how to act in an emergency. This knowledge can save lives and reduce the damage caused if a gas-related incident occurs. Even children should be taught about gas safety and how to seek help if and when necessary.
The location of the gas mains, list of emergency numbers, and know-how of the ventilation system are all needed so residents can take appropriate action when needed.
Landlords and tenants have a unique relationship as it is largely transactional. There is, however, a very real human element to the arrangement when we factor in the idea that both are dependent upon each other for well-being and safety. This is why landlords and tenants must work together because safety is a collaborative effort, not an individual one.
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