Landlords That Fail To Issue Gas Safety Certificates Can Evict

Tenants can be removed from properties via Section 21 no-fault evictions even if landlords fail to provide them with valid gas safety records (GSRs) at the start of their tenancies, according to a landmark ruling. The Court of Appeal overturned a previous ruling that a landlord’s Section 21 order was invalid if it had failed to provide a GSR prior to the tenant moving into their property. In the case of Trecarrell House Limited v Rouncefield, the court ruled there is no time limit for serving existing tenants with a GSR and that as long as one is provided to the tenant prior to a Section 21 notice, the notice will be valid. Read more on Inside Housing.

https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/landlords-that-fail-to-issue-gas-safety-certificates-can-evict-via-section-21-court-rules-66916?utm_source=Housing60&utm_medium=email&utm_content=article_link&utm_campaign=H60

Gas Safety Check Clarity Needed

Housing sector figures have called for clarity over statutory gas safety checks as access to properties is reduced during the coronavirus outbreak, with some pushing for an extension on the length of time between checks on gas appliances. Pressure is growing on the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to extend gas safety certificates from 12 to 18 months to stop them expiring as contractors and housing association teams try to adhere to the government’s social distancing measures. A number of housing associations have moved to an emergency repairs only model but gas safety officers are still required to complete their annual checks as ordered by government agency HSE. Read more on Inside Housing.

https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/gas-safety-check-clarity-needed-as-associations-struggle-with-social-distancing-measures-65773?utm_source=Ocean%20Media%20Group&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11431739_IH-DAILY-26-3-2020-GR&dm_i=1HH2,6T0SB,8CKJV9,R8URF,1

East Kent Housing Likely To Be Ditched

Thanet council is proposing to ditch arrangements with East Kent Housing and bring its social housing service back under authority control. Cabinet members are expected to approve moves to put the plans out to council property residents for consultation next month with a report coming back to council early next year. The action comes on the heels of revelations earlier this year that hundreds of council property tenants across east Kent had been awaiting gas safety certificates due to overdue Landlord Gas Safety Register assessments. It then emerged that there were also grave concerns over potential further issues with electrical certification, lifts, fire safety and legionella testing. Read more on the Isle of Thanet News website.

https://theisleofthanetnews.com/2019/10/09/east-kent-housing-likely-to-be-ditched-and-housing-brought-back-under-thanet-council-control/

One In Five Homes Vulnerable To ‘Poor’ Gas Safety

Confusion amongst UK households about the signs of unsafe gas appliances could be putting vulnerable people at risk, a new report has revealed. According to the Gas Safety Register report, one in five homes in the UK contain ‘unsafe’ gas appliances such as cookers, fires and boilers. The research involved 2,001 people who care for or check in on an elderly or disabled loved one who doesn’t live with them. From those surveyed, three quarters (75%) of these said safety was a key reason for checking in on their vulnerable loved one – yet 92% don’t know at least one of the signs that a gas appliance is unsafe. Read more on 24housing.

https://www.24housing.co.uk/news/one-in-five-homes-vulnerable-to-poor-gas-safety/