Judge Says BTL Landlords Have to Protect Their Tenants

Recently several landlords were convicted of failing to comply with the Improvement Notice by Health and Safety Executive (HSE). One of them, Mr. Ajay Ahuja, failed to provide his tenants with a gas safety certificate. It is landlord’s obligation to under the Gas Safety (Installations and Use) Regulations of 1998 to check whether all gas appliances in the rented properties are safe and to provide the tenants with a certificate confirming the check has been conducted. At the hearing of Mr. Ahujia case, the judge claimed that authorities were right to be watchful of such infringements because it maintains public confidence. His Honour Judge Corrie also noted that all landlords, no matter large or small, need to protect the public, especially those, who are being their tenants, against gas explosions and other fatal hazards. He said that statics show that 20-30 people die every year from carbon monoxide poisoning, which is caused by inproper installation or maintenance of domestic gas appliances. The judge said that all landlords must comply with Gas Safety Regulations, by checking their safety regularly and by providing tenants with a certificate of check. As for now, Mr. Ahuja was sentenced to two-year conditional discharge and a fine of £14 000. The judge said Mr. Ahuja will be returned to courts if he is not complying with his duties in future.