Gas safety's not a priority for ‘quick fix’ renters

Renters living in 'quick fix' accommodation while they wait to buy a home could be putting their lives at risk, warns safety body Gas Safe Register. In the rush to move into a temporary rented property, they may forget to ask if essential gas safety checks have been done.

In recent months there has been a dramatic rise in the number of UK residents having to seek temporary accommodation because of house sales falling through, mortgages becoming more difficult to arrange and homeowners being forced to sell because of financial problems. The Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) has reported that over 40 percent of its members had more tenants than properties during the last quarter of 2009.*

This surge in quick fix renting has prompted Gas Safe Register to issue an essential gas safety reminder. With 18 people dying from gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning in the UK last year and more than 310 injured (Source: HSE Gas Safety Statistics), tenants are advised to make sure they know their gas safety rights.

Mum-to-be, Tanya Lewis from Crawley in Sussex, has been renting a property with her partner for 18 months after being forced off the property ladder in 2008 for financial reasons.

 

Source:- Gas Safe Register

Posted Date: 05th Mar 2010