The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has supported calls for the introduction of an ‘MOT style’ gas safety record for landlords.

The campaign for the MOT style system for yearly gas safety checks for landlords has been proposed by the Association of Gas Safety Managers (AGSM), and is now backed by the HSE.

The group has already begun a consulting process on the proposed change and since it launched the campaign in November 2013, the AGSM has joined forces with Home Group, among others, to raise awareness of the benefits of the MOT system for the Landlord’s Gas Safety Record (LGSR).

If the move to an MOT system was approved, it would mean that gas safety checks would be able to be carried out up to two months prior to the due date, while the due date would not change from year to year.

AGSM Chief Executive Officer, Claire Heyes, said that the firm believes the best way to make major savings in gas access is through a switch to an MOT system throughout the industry.

She believes that such a system would improve landlords’ productivity, permit a bigger focus on other areas of safe affordable warmth, make things clearer for vulnerable and elderly tenants, improve cooperation with tenants and plan servicing for the summer period.

Meanwhile, Stuart Kitchingman, of the HSE, confirmed the group’s support of an MOT style system when speaking at this year’s AGSM Gas Safety Management Conference.

The resultant meetings between HSE and the AGSM have agreed that they are to put in place a thorough consulting process and will assist with the additional approval with an impact assessment.

Home Group Chief Executive, Mark Henderson, commented that the Gas Access Campaign has ensured that the issue of yearly safety checks remains high on the agenda.

He added that the proposed MOT style system will provide a considerable change that with help to improve safety.