Landlord gas safety checks in Bracknell
Bracknell's estates are mostly gas-heated, so the yearly gas safety check is routine for landlords across the town.
What is different in Bracknell
Bracknell Forest Council handles housing standards in rented homes here, and the Health and Safety Executive enforces the gas safety regulations. Either may become involved if a tenant reports that a check has not been done.
Many homes in the new town neighbourhoods were built with warm-air or back-boiler systems that have since been replaced. Where an old system was removed, it is worth confirming that redundant flues and pipes were dealt with properly at the time. The annual check covers what is still connected.
In flats, flues sometimes run horizontally through an outside wall or into a shared duct. The engineer needs to be able to inspect the flue along its length, so check access before the appointment rather than having the check marked incomplete.
Local housing authority: Bracknell Forest Council (opens in a new tab)
The rule, in brief
Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, a landlord must keep the gas pipework, appliances and flues they provide in a safe condition and have each appliance and flue checked every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Keep the record of each check for two years. Give a copy to existing tenants within 28 days of the check, and to new tenants before they move in.
Source: HSE (opens in a new tab) / Gas Safe Register (opens in a new tab)
Gas safety for landlords — the full answerQuestions from Bracknell landlords
- What if the engineer cannot see the whole flue in a Bracknell flat?
- Hidden flues need inspection hatches so they can be checked. Ask your Gas Safe engineer what is needed and arrange it, as an uninspected flue cannot be confirmed as safe.
General information for England, not legal advice. Check the source and your council before relying on it for a particular property.