Landlords urged to address carbon monoxide

Landlords are being reminded that they are legally required to have gas appliances they supply in their properties checked annually for safety and to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

Often referred to as the "silent killer", carbon monoxide is odourless, colourless and tasteless and can kill in as little as two hours, or can lead to serious health problems through prolonged exposure. Symptoms are similar to the flu, including a headache, dizziness, tiredness and nausea.

But landlords are legally required to have gas appliances checked every 12 months by a registered gas installer, and a record of the safety check should be kept for a minimum two years, in order to ensure the safety of tenants.

Carbon monoxide is produced when a gas appliance is faulty or has a blocked flue. Tenants should be shown where the emergency gas shut off valve is, and a carbon monoxide detector can also be installed in the property for added protection. It's also important that tenants are aware they should not block fresh air vents to the room.

Richard Price, Director of Operations, at the National Landlords Association, said: "By taking a few simple precautions landlords can ensure appliances are working correctly and tenants will be kept safe.

"The most important thing is to ensure all gas appliances are inspected by a registered gas installer annually. Landlords must give their tenant a copy of the safety check record.

"It's also up to tenants not to use any appliance known to be unsafe but to either contact their landlord immediately or the gas emergency number on 0800 111 999. Landlords can take the additional step of installing a carbon monoxide detector in their property, although this is no substitute for proper safety checks."