Gas and Heating Policy

5.1 The Gas Safety Regulations (opens new window) impose duties on landlords to protect tenants in their homes. The main landlord duties are set out in Regulation 36 and require landlords to:

• Ensure gas fittings and flues are maintained in a safe condition. Gas appliances will be serviced annually as per the manufacturer's instructions. If these are not available it is recommended that they are serviced annually, unless advised otherwise by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
• Ensure the annual safety check is carried out on each gas appliance and flue within 12 months of the previous safety check.
• Have all installation, maintenance and safety checks carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
• Keep a record of each safety check for at least two years (until at least two further gas safety checks have been carried out).
• Issue a copy of the latest safety check record to existing tenants within 28 days of the check being completed. For new tenants a gas safety check will be undertaken when they move in and a copy of the most recent landlord's gas safety record will be provided.
• Display a copy of the latest safety check record in a common area of a building where the gas appliance serves a communal heating system to multiple homes.
• Ensure that no gas fitting of a type that would contravene Regulation 30 (for example, certain gas fires and instantaneous water heaters) is fitted in any room occupied, or to be occupied, as sleeping accommodation after the Regulations came into force. This includes any room converted into such accommodation after that time.

5.2 These obligations apply to both gas heating and liquid petroleum gas heating systems.

5.3 Other heating types - although there is no legal requirement to do so, we will carry out safety checks to properties with other heating system types (see Section 7 - Programmes for details).

5.4 If we become aware of a solid fuel installation which has not been carried out by the council, or for which consent was not sought by the tenant, then either:

• Backdated written permission will be given to the tenant and a safety check carried out immediately and maintained thereafter, OR
• The tenant will be instructed to remove the appliance at their expense, or, if unable to do so, Gateshead Council will remove the appliance and make good and recharge the tenant.

5.5 The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (opens new window) requires social landlords to:

• Install a smoke alarm on every storey with living accommodation.
• Install carbon monoxide alarms in any rooms used as living accommodation with a fixed combustible appliance (excluding gas cookers).
• Ensure smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are repaired or replaced once informed and found that they are faulty.