10 May 2006
Landlords are being warned to ensure that gas appliances in their properties are safe by having them serviced each year.
The reminder was issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after a landlord was fined for breaching gas safety legislation that led to the carbon monoxide poisoning of a young girl.
Paul Clark, from Portsmouth, was fined £42,000 and made to pay legal costs of £18,000 following the death of 11-year-old Katie Overton in 2003.
"Katie's death was a tragic reminder of what can happen when gas boilers aren't maintained properly," said HSE principal inspector Mike Harrison.
"Landlords of rented properties should remember that gas appliances are subject to annual safety checks; they must also be maintained in a safe condition. This means that gas boilers should be serviced annually in accordance with manufacturers' instructions by a Corgi registered installer as well having annual gas safety checks carried out on them."
Mr Clark was fined £20,000 for failing to maintain the boiler and £22,000 for his failure to have the safety of the gas supply checked.
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