Fines have been levied against two London-based property management companies following a series of gas safety breaches that could have endangered the lives of tenants.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated reports of gas safety breaches at the Westfield block of flats in Kidderpore Avenue, Hampstead. It found that essential gas checks had not been carried out at the flats, which could have led to tenants being at risk of breathing in toxic fumes such as carbon monoxide.
In one of the flats in the building, which was run by Valbond Management, a flue joint on a gas boiler had come apart, and could have potentially been leaking toxic emissions into the property for as many as five years.
The investigation also found that two further properties in the block, one of which was managed by Valbond Management and the other by Holbond, both had gas boilers that had not been properly maintained.
Each of the property management firms, which are sister companies and both based in Chandos Street, Marylebone, were prosecuted by the HSE following the findings.
Each firm pleaded guilty to two charges each under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
Valbond Management was fined