Gas safety requirements for rented properties
Landlords have a legal obligation to the safety of the tenants residing their rental property. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 outline the duties and responsibilities of a Landlord and require landlords to ensure gas appliances, fittings and flues provided for tenants are safe.
The landlord is ultimately responsible for the maintenance and repair of flues, appliances and pipework provided for a tenants use. Maintenance must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer and must demonstrate the gas services to be in a safe and serviceable condition.
Annual Gas Safety Checks & Records
The Landlord is also responsible for ensuring an annual gas safety check is carried out within 12 months of the installation of any new gas appliance or flue in the property, and annually thereafter.
Again this must be carried out by a Gas Safe Registered engineer. A record of the safety check must be kept for 2 years and issue a copy to each existing tenant within 28 days of the check being completed and issue a copy to any new tenants before they move in, for any new tenancy.
Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 it is possible to have the annual gas safety check on each appliance or flue carried out up to 2 months before the date the check needs to be carried out but still retain the original deadline date as if the check had been carried out exactly 12 months after the previous check. (similar to the way a car MOT works)
Action Points
- Annual gas safety check, by Gas Safe registered engineer
- Keep gas safety check records for 2 years
- Existing Tenants, issue a copy of the new certificate within 28 days of the check being completed.
- New Tenants, issue a copy of the certificate to any new tenants before they move in.
Proactive Maintenance
It is recommended that you encourage regular, annual maintenance checks and subsequent repairs are carried out. By a landlord performing regular maintenance, checks demonstrate good care of the property and should reduce the risk of expensive breakdowns and compensation to tenants for lack of heating and hot water.