A pair of Dudley-based landlords has been prosecuted over their failure to obtain a gas safety record for a rental property, potentially putting tenant’s lives at risk.
Brothers Philip Hale, 52, and Roger Hale, 50, co-owned the house on Himley Street, Dudley and were unable to provide a gas safety record when asked to do so by council housing officers.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated the brothers and again requested the certificate, confirming to them that it was a legal requirement. However, the brothers admitted that they had not had one for the property for eight years.
The HSE also discovered that two gas fires which had been given to the tenants by the landlords had been condemned by the National Grid after a gas smell had been detected at the property. The two brothers pleaded guilty to breaching the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 at Dudley Magistrates’ Court and were fined £2,500 between them alongside costs of £464 each.
HSE inspector Pam Folsom said: “Philip and Roger Hale potentially put lives and property in danger by ignoring their responsibilities as landlords of this property. It is essential landlords have gas appliances inspected annually.
“Well- maintained appliances reduce the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning and dangerous gas leaks. Gas safety records are a legal requirement and give tenants the peace of mind they deserve when it comes to the safety of the appliances in their homes,” added Ms Folsom.
Meanwhile, the chief executive of the Gas Safe Register, Russell Kramer, said that it was essential that landlords knew their obligations towards gas safety, and also that tenants knew their rights.
“A landlord should be able to show you an up to date gas safety record for the property which shows that gas appliances have been checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer in the last 12 months,” Mr Kramer told tenants.