Propertymark Belvoir Dunstable is urging all landlords and tenants to be gas safe and choose their letting agent wisely, during the third annual Gas Safety Week (16 – 22 September).
It can be a matter of life and death as badly fitted and poorly serviced gas appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning. By looking for a letting agent which is Gas Safe, landlords and tenants can be confident that gas appliances in their rented properties are checked annually and regularly serviced by registered engineers.
Belvoir Dunstable has already pledged its commitment to consumer protection by signing up to the Propertymark campaign.
Propertymark is an easily identifiable logo signposting letting agents who are part of a Client Money Protection Scheme. This means that landlord and tenant funds will be protected, if an agent steals or uses clients’ funds fraudulently.
Propertymark Daniel Bourke says: “The importance of maintaining gas appliances should not be underestimated: the consequences can be fatal. We are committed to ensuring that all of our properties are gas safe and we are proud to support Gas Safety Week.”
Tenants can be gas safe in their homes by following these tips:
Look out for warning signs that your gas appliances aren’t working correctly e.g. lazy yellow or orange flames instead of crisp blue ones, black marks on or around the appliance and too much condensation in the room Know the signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning – headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, collapse and loss of consciousness Install an audible carbon monoxide alarm If you smell gas call the gas emergency number on 0800 111 999
Over 2,000 letting agent offices have now signed up to the Propertymark campaign. In addition to Government support, key organizations in the industry including Citizens Advice Bureaux,Ombudsman Services: Property, The Property Ombudsman, DPS, TDS, My Deposits and the Trading Standards Institute have all allied themselves to the campaign. Key suppliers to the sector are also standing behind the campaign – HomeLet, Imfuna and CFP Software have led the way in pledging their backing to it.
For gas safety advice or to find and check an engineer visit the Gas Safe Register website at www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk. Alternatively call the free helpline on 0800 408 5500. To find a Propertymark in your area visit www.Propertymarks.co.uk
For more information please contact Belvoir Dunstable, 18 Church St, Dunstable LU5 4RU – Tel: 01582 343209
About Propertymark
Propertymark – Safe Agent Fully Endorsed – is a reliable mark denoting firms that protect landlords and tenants money through Client Money Protection schemes. Set up ‘by the industry, for the industry’ and recognised by the Government, it is supported by Citizens Advice Bureaux, Shelter, Ombudsman Services: Property, The Property Ombudsman, DPS, TDS, My Deposits and Trading Standards Institute who have all allied themselves to the campaign. Key suppliers to the sector are also standing behind the campaign – for example, HomeLet, Imfuna and CFP Software have led the way in pledging their backing to it.
All agents registered with Propertymark are part of a Client Money Protection Scheme which reimburses consumers in the event of misappropriation of clients’ funds. There are several schemes in the sector operated by Propertymark, ARLA, NAEA and RICS to which agents voluntarily belong. The scope of these schemes varies and consumers should contact their agent for full details of the scheme of which they are a part.
www.Propertymarks.co.uk
