Two landlord companies have been fined for gas safety breaches which were discovered at a block of privately rented flats in Hampstead, North London.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Valbond Management Ltd and its sister company Holbond Ltd following an investigation which found that vital gas checks had been neglected and faults were missed.

Westminster Magistrates' Court heard that a Gas Safe registered engineer found a flue joint that had come apart in a ceiling void at one flat, managed by Valbond, that could have been leaking emissions from the boiler for as long as five years.

In addition, the investigation found that two further properties in the block, another managed by Valbond and one by Holbond, also had gas boilers and concealed flue pipes that were not maintained.

Neither company had arranged annual gas safety inspections for the properties, as required by law, nor had landlord gas safety certificates been issued.

Magistrates were told that the tenants of the property where the leak occurred had left as they had no confidence in Valbond's ability to manage the gas system to ensure they were safe.

Valbond Management Ltd and Holbond Ltd, both registered at Shelley Stock Hutter LLP in Chandos Street, London W1, pleaded guilty to two charges each under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. Valbond was fined a total of £28,000 with £432 in costs. Holbond was fined a total of £20,000 with £432 in costs.