Landlords’ gas safety checks should be upgraded to servicing

Mandatory annual gas safety checks in rented homes should be upgraded to a full service of appliances and check on the efficiency of heating systems, say the Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) and the Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA), which are calling for a more meaningful safety regime.

Currently, the mandatory gas safety check provides protection to tenants in private and social rented properties. The HHIC and EUA believe that upgrading the check to a full service will be good for both landlords and tenants and can be carried out as now.

The annual service requires a more in-depth examination of the appliance, making sure it is in good working order, not just safe to operate. Enhancing the service further to include the heating system would mean that the efficiency of the product at warming the home is also considered.

HHIC director Stewart Clements says: “Upgrading a simple gas safety check to a full service will offer the landlord the ability to make sure the appliance is working properly and checks to see the likely wear and tear, just like a car MOT does.

“It can identify when an appliance might be coming to the end of its life, giving the landlord time to plan their next purchase.

“Tagging on a heating system check will allow the installer to make sure the system is running as efficiently as possible, keeping bills down for the tenant. Even checking that the flow temperatures on the boiler are lower can yield significant bill savings.”

Mike Foster, CEO of EUA, adds: “Last week, the Energy Secretary Ed Miliband remarked that global gas prices are behind the most recent increase in the Energy Price Cap. And the problem with global prices, be that gas or heat pumps, is that UK politicians cannot control them. However, they can control the UK’s regulatory set-up.

“There are ambitious plans to improve the EPCs of private rented homes, which is welcome, but with a simple upgrade from a gas safety check to a system and appliance service, tenants could save £100s and landlords can plan for the future with greater certainty.

“We support the call for mandatory annual servicing of all heating appliances – but a good first step is surely to upgrade the annual safety check to something even more meaningful.”