Harcourts in Timaru has been slapped with a $55,000 fine for failing to check the safety of gas appliances and fittings before renting out a property.

 Harcourts and Crew Cut franchisee Larry Warner pleaded guilty to breaches of the Gas Act and Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Act last year.

 The breach happened in June 2014 after Harcourts hired Crew Cut to remove a gas heater from a rental property – but Warner wasn't authorised to do so, and the gas supply was left uncapped.

 A new tenant moved into the property, and after noticing a strong smell of gas the following day, WorkSafe's Energy Safety discovered around 35kg of gas had leaked into the house.

 The company was also ordered to pay $12,500 in reparation, while Warner was sentenced to 200 hours' community work and ordered to pay $2000 reparation.

 Source: 3 News