A landlord has been fined after leaving a woman and her five children at risk of serious harm, including carbon monoxide poisoning. Property owner Adam Evans failed to carry out annual gas safety checks on the Wirral property for eight years.
Investigation findings
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the woman had lived at the house on Salisbury Drive, New Ferry, since 2016 without an annual gas check, which is a basic legal requirement for landlords.
HSE began its investigation in October 2024 after receiving a concern from Wirral Council. Following enquiries, HSE requested copies of gas safety records from Mr Evans. He provided a certificate dated November 2024 that had been completed following the concern, but was unable to supply any records covering the previous eight years.
Court sentencing
Adam Evans, of Brownlow Road, New Ferry, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 36(3) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. He was fined £2,400 and ordered to pay £5,000 in costs at Wirral Magistrates’ Court on October 8, 2025.
Tenants are reminded that landlords must ensure that gas appliances are checked every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer and that records of these checks are retained. Carbon monoxide alarms should also be installed to provide an early warning of danger.
Official comment
HSE inspector Ian Betley said: “Adam Evans showed a complete disregard for the law and put the lives of a mother and her children at risk. The case highlights a serious failure by him to comply with well-established gas safety requirements.
“Annual gas safety checks are a legal duty and are in place to protect tenants from very real and potentially fatal risks. Landlords must ensure that gas appliances and flues are properly maintained and inspected by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Failure to do so will not be tolerated and enforcement action will be taken.”
