Carbon monoxide poisoning tragically claims around 30 lives each year and causes over 200 cases of ill health. These incidents often result from gas appliances and flues that have not been properly installed or adequately maintained.

Ensuring the safe maintenance of gas installations is a legal requirement under The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. Maintenance requirements depend on the age, condition, and usage of the installation. Failure to comply can lead to enforcement action, reflecting the seriousness of this obligation.

This guide is designed to support commercial landlords in meeting their responsibilities with clarity and efficiency, transforming compliance into a framework for best practice.

Who Is a Landlord?

Regulation 36(1) defines a landlord as any party responsible for tenanted properties, including housing associations, local authorities, housing co-operatives, and commercial landlords. The definition extends to bedsit accommodation, holiday rentals (including caravans, cottages, and chalets), and rooms let in private homes.

Legal Obligations for Landlords

• Maintain gas fittings and flues in a safe condition, servicing appliances according to manufacturer instructions or annually if guidelines are unavailable.
• Conduct annual safety checks, ensuring they are performed within one year prior to a lease start or within 12 months of installation.
• Engage only Gas Safe-registered professionals for all installations, maintenance, and safety checks.
• Keep safety check records for at least two years.
• Provide tenants with copies of safety check records within 28 days of completion or display them in communal areas.

Note: Routine maintenance does not replace the requirement for an annual safety check, and vice versa.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Non-compliance with gas safety regulations can lead to:

• Fines up to £20,000 per offence.
• Criminal prosecution, including manslaughter charges in severe cases.
• Invalidated insurance coverage.
• Enforcement action by the HSE.

How Maintenance by Global Can Help

Maintenance by Global collaborates with trusted partners who are Gas Safe-registered and experienced in managing industrial and commercial gas systems. Their services ensure compliance with the strictest industry standards set by the Institute of Gas Engineers.

Our Services Include:

• Comprehensive compliance assessments.
• Tailored maintenance schedules for your properties.
• Expert guidance to simplify your gas safety responsibilities.
• Access to the Log-Book Portal, a secure cloud-based platform for managing gas safety compliance.
  • Store gas safety certificates digitally to prevent loss or damage.
  • Provide tenants with direct access to certificates as required by law.
  • Track the condition of assets in real-time with the “Assets by Status” feature.

The Log-Book Portal serves as a web interface for our bespoke Site Asset Manager (SAM) application. This platform documents your assets by premises, system type, and location, providing a comprehensive, secure, and accessible repository of asset-specific service reports. Available to customer employees subscription-free after registration, the portal ensures seamless collaboration among engineers, caretakers, auditors, managers, and directors.

Contact us today for advice, estimates, or further details about our Log-Book Portal and the full range of services we offer.