As a landlord, it’s your duty to provide a safe and comfortable space for your tenants. This includes the obvious stuff, like no broken windows or a leaky roof, as well as the not-so-obvious stuff like a properly functioning boiler or flue.
Gas safety is a big deal, and landlords are legally obligated to get inspections done every year and secure a gas safety certificate. Not doing so can result in some serious consequences involving heavy fines and even prosecution. And that is probably why you might be super confused or scared if you failed a gas safety inspection. Don’t worry, though. We have some tips for you that might help!
Here’s what you should do if you fail a gas safety inspection.
What to do If You Fail a Gas Safety Inspection?
It’s simple, really. All you need to do if you fail a gas safety inspection is to remedy the situation that caused you to fail. That’s all there is to it.
Once the gas engineer carries out the inspection, they will give you a gas safety certificate. This certificate will include various details of the inspection, the appliances and their condition, information regarding the house and landlord, etc. You can learn more about the certificate here.
Additionally, it will also include the exact appliances checked and their condition. So, if you did fail the gas safety inspection, you will know why right away by looking at the gas safety certificate. It will mention precisely which appliance or fixture was faulty and what the fault was.
The gas engineer will probably tell you in person where the problem lies, what you should do to repair it, and how to go about it. However, if they don’t, you can always look at the gas safety certificate issued to you, and you should be able to figure out the problem yourself.
Gas Safety Certificate Codes
Most gas engineers use certain codes to describe the extent of the damage, which indicates how soon you will need to get it done.
Here are the three codes you can expect to see:
Ø Immediately Dangerous (ID)
Ø At Risk (AR)
Ø Not to Current Standards (NCS)
Let’s take a look at each of them in more detail.
Immediately Dangerous (ID)
It’s probably apparent by the name that this is not something good at all, and you definitely don’t want to ignore something that is ‘immediately dangerous.’ If your gas safety certificate includes an appliance with this code next to it, it means that that appliance or installation presents an immediate danger to the property or its residents if it is left to continue operating or connected to a gas supply.
Considering how dangerous it is, your gas engineer will probably disconnect the gas supply to that installation after taking your permission. If you don’t allow them to disconnect it, the engineer can report it to the Gas Emergency Service Provider, who may then disconnect the gas supply to the house entirely.
At Risk (AR)
This doesn’t sound as scary as immediately dangerous, but this is still something you should seriously think about and not consider a low priority. An at risk installation on your gas safety certificate means that that installation has several faults, which could pose a big danger to the property and residents if left ignored or even without the development of other faults.
In this case, too, the gas engineer will probably turn off the gas connection or disable that installation after taking your permission. If you do find such an installation, you should not delay and get it repaired or replaced right away. Otherwise, here are some risks you could face from using unsafe appliances.
Not to Current Standards (NCS)
This one relates to the industry’s standards that are often changing. Therefore, an appliance that seems safe to use today could become a risky installation if the industry standards change. You won’t always be aware of what’s happening in the industry, and that’s why you need a trusted, and Gas Safety registered engineer.
Such an engineer will know all about the industry standards and their changes and will carry out the inspection accordingly. An appliance with this code next to it is not necessarily dangerous. It is safe to continue using. However, it doesn’t meet current industry standards, so you’d be better off replacing it as soon as you get the chance.
Final Thoughts
A landlord’s job is never over. There’s always something that needs to be done, repaired or looked at. While there might be some things that you can delay doing or not spend that much money on, you should never ignore or get complacent about any gas and heating-related issues.
Any such malfunctioning appliances, fixtures, flues, etc., pose a big risk to the lives and wellbeing of the people residing in that space. Not to mention, there are fines and prosecution for the landlord as well.
Either way, it doesn’t fare well for anyone, and that’s why, as a landlord, you must take care of it right away. Forget that fresh coat of paint or a new garden and focus on fixing that broken boiler or gas leak.
Anxious to get that inspection and repairs done right away? You shouldn't be! At Gasify, we have an entire team of experienced and Gas Safety registered engineers. Our helpful engineers will do a thorough inspection of your house for any potential gas and heating problems and notify you right away if there are any. Visit our website today to book a session for yourself. Gasify.co.uk