‘Disasters waiting to happen’ gas safety checks overdue in thousands of homes
ByThe Courier Reporter
A plumber working on a gas boiler as 28,000 private renters could be at risk from gas safety hazards, according to housing charity Shelter Scotland.
Lives could be at risk in an estimated 28,000 private rented homes that have not had a gas safety check in the last year.
Shelter Scotland and Scottish Gas surveyed more than 1,000 private tenants and found that one in 10 did not receive their mandatory gas safety check in the previous 12 months.
This equates to about 28,000 households if the ratio is the same throughout Scotland. An annual gas safety check and certificate is required by law and is the legal responsibility of the landlord.
Gas safety checks identify problems such as faulty boilers. They are vital in helping to prevent gas leaks, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning. Landlords who fail to meet gas safety regulations can be fined and imprisoned.
Shelter Scotland director Graeme Brown said: “It’s shocking to think that in thousands of households across Scotland there are disasters waiting to happen because a simple safety check has not taken place.
“Renters have a right to know that the property they are living in is safe. It’s absolutely vital that tenants are aware of the need to get an annual gas safety check.
“Meanwhile, landlords need to know that gas safety is not optional.”
‘Disasters waiting to happen’ gas safety checks overdue in thousands of homes
