A landlord has been given a suspended prison sentence and ordered to pay fines and costs totalling almost £15,000 for endangering a family after authorising illegal gas work.
Dinyar Sarkari, from Stanmore, London, commissioned the installation of a new boiler at a property in Luton after the tenants complained to the local council that the central heating system wasn’t working.
Mr Sarkari, who owns and rents out the property, used gas fitters who were not registered with Gas Safe Register, as required by law, to install the boiler.
Luton Magistrates’ Court heard on 14 February that following the work, the tenants immediately contacted the National Grid after they suspected that gas was leaking. Visiting technicians immediately turned off the gas supply and alerted the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
HSE contacted Mr Sarkari, but he subsequently supplied false documentation as evidence of his Landlord’s Gas Safety Records, also a legal requirement.
Mr Sarkari admitted three breaches of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, and one breach of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. He was given a two-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to carry out 150 hours of community work. He was also fined £5,000 and ordered to pay costs of £9,814.
HSE inspector Robert Meardon said: “Dinyar Sarkari has shown a flagrant disregard for his tenants’ safety and put their lives at risk.
“It is vital that only competent people work on gas fittings and appliances. They must be a member of the Gas Safe Register. Landlords in particular have a duty of care and must ensure the safety of their tenants by having such appliances fitted and checked annually by someone on this register.”
Palmers can provide a range of health and safety-related services to landlords and employers, including carrying out thorough examination of health and safety systems to ensure these are fit for purpose.
Landlords seeking clarification or guidance on health and safety responsibilities, or who may be facing prosecution, can find out more by visiting the Palmers website or contacting our health and safety specialists Lara Murray and Jeremy Sirrell.