Why the landlord should maintain solid fuel heating systems.

Landlords / agents are not allowed to put a clause in a tenancy agreement stating that the tenant is responsible for maintaining solid fuel heating systems as this is described as a unfair contract term(Office of fair trading 2005). So you cannot get your tenant to discharge your duty of care for you. (Unless a court order has been issued)

Should a chimney fire occur then thousands of pounds could be lost in damage and loss of earning potential while the house is repaired. Not to mention any claim that a tenant may make.

If the landlord looks after a solid fuel appliance then they would have discharged their duty of care towards their tenants and would be keeping their own property safe from unnecessary fire risks and unwanted legal claims.

Remember as a landlord you have a duty of care to your tenant/s, and as such blocked flues that subsequently cause death could result in the landlord being tried for criminal negligence or in extreme cases a manslaughter prosecution may arise.

> Landlord and Tenant obligations   (PDF taken from the Consumer Direct website)

> Landlord and Tenant obligations   (Original web page)

Chimneys servicing gas appliances need to be cleaned annually

As well as making sure that all gas appliances are serviced annually it is also the landlords responsibility to make sure that the flue ways are cleaned annually by a qualified chimney sweep

To help stop the amount of people dying each year from carbon monoxide poisoning the health and safety executive has documentation stating that all gas flues need to be swept annually by qualified chimney sweeps and that this responsibility cannot be passed on to the tenant.

> Beware of the silent killer, HSE's reminder during CO Awareness week

> Carbon monoxide awareness

> Law and HSE enforcement

Do not let yourself and your tenant/s down.

Reflect now and not when you are in prison.