While it’s your landlord’s legal responsibility to maintain the gas appliances within your home, there are several things you can do as a tenant to ensure your safety.

Know your rights

In the UK landlords have to use a Gas Safe registered engineer to carry out annual safety checks and servicing on all your gas appliances and fittings.

Once this is complete your landlord will receive a Gas Safety Certificate.

When you move into a property ensure that the current certificate is dated within 12-months, and if not, request a service.

Know your responsibilities

If you own any gas appliances that were not on the inventory when you first rented your home, you are responsible for ensuring their safety.

Nonetheless, your landlord will, in most cases, be responsible for the gas pipes and any chimneys or flues that serve your appliances.

Choose the right person for the job

When your annual gas safety checks become due or if you need to arrange any repairs, always ensure that a Gas Safe registered engineer is used.

Whether booked by yourself or your landlord, always ask to see the engineer’s ID before they enter your property.

On one side you’ll see their photo and the Gas Safe Register logo of a yellow triangle, while on the reverse you’ll see a list of the appliances they’re qualified to work on.

Know what to do in an emergency

When you move into your rented accommodation your landlord should be able to show you how to turn off the gas supply in the event of a gas leak or other emergency.

If you believe an appliance is faulty, stop using it and let your landlord know as soon as possible.

Should you ever find a serious problem or become suspicious of a gas leak, call the National Gas Emergency Service number on 0800 111999, 24 hours a day.

Maintain your carbon monoxide alarm

Whether you or your landlord fit it, someone that has regular access your home will need to ensure your carbon monoxide alarm is working, as it should.

An effective audible alarm will let you know when CO is present in your home and will potentially save your life.