The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is consulting on changes to the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, which include making the timing of landlords’ annual gas safety checks more flexible and clarifying that only gas safety defects should be recorded. HSE are proposing to do this through the introduction of a MOT-style flexibility to the timing of annual gas safety checks. Under the Regulations landlords are required by law to carry out annual gas safety checks on gas installations in their properties.
Through the introduction of a new clause landlords will be able to have gas safety checks carried out any time from ten to twelve calendar months after the previous check, but still retain the original expiry/anniversary date as if the check had been carried out exactly 12 months after the previous check. This is a similar provision to that already available to motorists in relation to MOT checks for their vehicles. Importantly, the consultation document states that this would be an option that landlords could take advantage of if they wished. If the current system works for them, they would be under no obligation to take advantage of the new system.
The details that must legally be recorded on an annual gas safety check will remain the same. The HSE are also proposing to include additional wording into the regulation to clarify that it is only ‘gas safety defects’ that should be recorded. Other areas that the consultation focuses on include designating Service Layer Engineers as a member of a class of person under the Regulations and changes around the existing exemption certificate.
The specific areas we will be providing feedback on are:
- Do the proposed changes benefit commercial landlords in any way?
- Are there any economies available in allowing flexibility to the timing of annual gas safety checks?
- With regard to the details recorded on the document, are there any concerns in only including ‘gas safety defects’?
The consultation closes on 27th January 2017. We are formulating our response to the consultation and would welcome your feedback to incorporate into this. To have your say, please email the compliance team at compliance@carbon2018.com or alternatively complete the contact form. To discuss this further please call Melanie Kendall-Reid on 01252 87 87 22.