HUNDREDS of York homeowners could be facing a nasty surprise if they have rented out their homes for Royal Ascot.

Research from British Gas has revealed that many renters in the city could fall foul of strict gas safety laws - and could even be risking a prison sentence.

That is because the company has revealed many will not have signed up for a Landlords' Gas Safety Record, which proves that all gas appliances have been checked for safety. Analysis of the YO postcode area by British Gas has revealed there has been no major demand in the city for the safety records, despite the number of people expected to rent out their homes during Ascot week.

The firm's engineers carried out only 19 extra landlord safety inspections in the first four months of 2005 compared to the same period in 2004, and just three extra between October and December last year - way below the demand expected in the build up to Ascot.

Alan Johnson, general manager for British Gas in the north-east region, which includes York, said: "An event like Royal Ascot might seem like a great opportunity to make some much-needed extra money - and it is, if people make sure they do it properly.

"But a lot of people who rent their homes out - even for just one week a year - may be unaware of the fact that this makes them a landlord, and they are therefore bound by the law.

"We would have expected to see a sizeable increase in the number of people asking for landlord safety checks. The fact that we haven't has made us concerned that people are taking a risk that they might come to regret."

Landlords' Safety Records are available following an inspection from any CORGI registered installer. British Gas recommends that a full service of all appliances is carried out as well as the safety check.

Failure to produce a Landlords' Safety Record can lead to a fine. In cases where a tenant dies as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning due to a faulty gas appliance, the landlord could be convicted of manslaughter.

Mr Johnson said: "People may think an incident is extremely unlikely, particularly in June, but it's not worth flouting the law and risking a conviction for the sake of a few pounds."

Updated: 08:33 Tuesday, May 31, 2005