Advice on latest UK Gov guidance for gas and electrical safety checks
Over the weekend of 28th and 29th March 2020, the UK Government released non-statutory guidance for landlords, tenants and local authorities.
How is COVID-19 affecting gas and electrical safety checks currently?
The key message is landlords must make every effort to follow existing gas and electrical safety regulations. Both regulations allow for situations where landlords are unable to gain access to a property to complete their safety obligations and they must demonstrate all necessary steps have been taken to comply with the law.
How can you show all necessary steps have been taken?
Landlords need to demonstrate reasonable steps have been taken by recording all communication with their current tenants and contractors. This would include any attempts made to contact tenants and contractors, replied messages and any previous documentation they have for installation, appliance or flue showing good condition where inspections have been carried out.
This also applies for letting agents who are struggling to gain access to a property due to Coronavirus. Government recommend agents document their attempts and all correspondence with their tenants and contractors.
Keeping up to date
The government are encouraging local authorities and other enforcement agencies to take a pragmatic, common sense approach to enforcement in these unprecedented times.
The guidance is advisory, and all guidance is subject to frequent updates and should be checked regularly – you can do this here.
If you have any concerns on what to do next, give us a call on 01283 537120.