Cardiff Council is urging all residents living in rented property to make sure that the gas central heating system in their home has been fitted by a qualified contractor after a high level of carbon monoxide has been discovered at rented accommodation in Earl Street, Grangetown.
Council Officers have made an Emergency Prohibition Order in relation to one flat, which states that the flat cannot be used for human habitation and the tenant has had to move out. Due to Data Protection issues, no further details can be revealed.
The Health and Safety Executive has been informed and a member of staff from National Grid has visited the property to carry out urgent checks on the gas installations. It was discovered that the gas meter was fitted incorrectly, the flue was faulty as well as the boiler. The installation was described as the ‘worst they have ever seen’.
Councillor Lynda Thorne, Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhood Regeneration and Social Justice, said: “As we may be taking legal action against this landlord, we can not give specific details at this stage, but we feel very strongly that the message needs to be understood that any gas installation on any property has to be carried out by a Gas Safe Engineer.
“Landlords who try to cut corners to save money are putting people’s lives at risk. On this occasion, luckily, the level of carbon monoxide at this property was discovered before serious harm occurred; otherwise the landlord could be facing a manslaughter charge rather than breaches under the Housing Act.”
Advice on gas safety can be found on the Gas Safe Register website at http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/
