Landlord prosecuted for putting tenants at risk
A landlord was fined after dangerous defects were found on gas appliances at a property rented out to tenants.
The landlord, pleaded guilty after an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found he failed to ensure gas fittings, including a wall mounted boiler, at a property he rented out were safe.
HSE also found that the gas appliances and flues were not checked annually as required by law.
He had received instruction from HSE on gas safety but when a specialist gas inspector visited the property on he found many immediately dangerous faults.
The court also heard that following the earlier disconnection of the gas supply at the rented property, the supply was re-instated without any repairs being carried out.
The landlord was fined a total of £800 for contravening regulations and he was also ordered to pay costs of £2,000.
After the hearing HSE Inspector, said:
"It is totally unacceptable to have a property where tenants' lives are threatened because the gas appliances haven't been properly looked after.”
In 2008/09, 15 people died from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning associated with domestic gas appliances - due mainly to gas appliances having been badly fitted or poorly serviced.
Updated on 9/20/2011