When it comes to gas safety, landlords are responsible for the properties they rent. That means that they need to ensure that all the Gas Safety Checks are valid.
Are you a landlord and you wonder what your obligations when it comes to gas at the property are? From this guide, you will find out everything you need to know.
What are my responsibilities as a landlord in terms of gas safety?
According to the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, as a landlord, you have to make sure that all gas appliances found at the property are safe and in good working condition. Have a look at the table below to find out more about your three key responsibilities:
| Gas safety checks | All gas appliances at the property need to undergo annual safety checks carried out by a qualified engineer who is registered with Gas Safe. After the annual safety check, you will receive a Landlord Gas Safety Record or Certificate confirming that you have done it. |
| Gas Safety Record | Once you have received the Landlord Gas Safety Record, you have to give proof of it to the tenants You must give a copy of the Landlord Gas Safety Record to the existing tenants within 28 days of the safety check You must give a copy of the Landlord Gas Safety Record to the new tenants at the start of their tenancy |
| Maintenance | As a landlord, you need to make sure that all gas pipes and cables are safe and in good condition Installation pipework is not checked in the annual gas safety checks, but you can ask an engineer registered with Gas Safe to check it for you You need to regularly service the pipework at the property and promptly carry out repairs |
What you have to know about Landlord Gas Safety checks
The cost of your Landlord Gas Safety check varies. The price depends on the engineering team, which needs to be registered with Gas Safe, that performs the annual check. That is why it is a good idea to compare offers of several companies before signing a deal with one of them.
You can schedule the gas safety check any time from 10-12 months after the previous check. The existing check will remain valid until its initial expiry date.
An important thing to note as well is that appliances owned by the tenants are not your responsibility. That is why, when new tenants move into the property, you should tell them where and how to turn the gas off and what to do when they smell gas.
If you are a private landlord registered in Scotland, you need to make sure that a carbon monoxide (CO) detector is installed somewhere in the flat.
Finally, when you are scheduling the annual gas check, make sure that the engineer you’re about to hire is registered with Gas Safe.
What happens during an annual gas safety check?
During the annual gas safety check, an engineer registered with Gas Safe will visit the property you rent to inspect all the appliances that use gas. During the visit you can expect the engineer to do the following:
- Carry out a visual inspection of all the appliances that use gas
- Perform a tightness test of the gas meter to make sure there are no leaks
- Check the ventilation
- Check the air supply
- Test flue gases
- Make sure that all safety devices are in good condition
- Check the pressure vessel inside the boiler
- Issue a gas safety certificate for you.
On average, the engineer visit takes around 30 minutes. That varies depending on the size of the property and the appliances that can be found there, however.
After all the checks, the engineer will give you the Landlord Gas Safety Record, which is also known as CP12. Your gas safety certificate will include the following information:
- A description of each gas appliance
- The location of each gas appliance
- The name, Gas Safe registration number, and signature of the engineer performing the check
- The date of the inspection
- The full address of the property
- Information regarding any required repairs.
What happens if the property I own fails the gas safety check?
Many people wrongly assume that all properties pass the annual gas safety check. Nevertheless, if an engineer decides that some gas appliances, or even just one of them, are unsafe, your property can fail the gas check. Depending on how dangerous the appliance is, it can be classified as one of the three hazard levels.
| Immediately Dangerous (ID) | An appliance that can put the tenents’ lives at risk |
| At Risk (AR) | An appliance that has a defect that could threaten the tenents’ lives |
| Not to Current Standards (NCS) | An appliance that does not pose a threat to the tenents’ lives, but that does not meet the recommended safety standards |
If an engineer deems an appliance Immediately Dangerous or At Risk, they can ask for permission to disconnect the gas supply to it. When that happens, they will tell you how you can fix the unsafe appliance. To make sure that your tenants are safe, you should make sure that you repair it as soon as possible.
Can I enter the property anytime to carry out the annual gas safety check?
If you intend to carry out the gas safety check, it is important that you let the tenants know in advance. By law, you are required to notify them at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled visit.
Make sure to keep the notice as you might need it in the event of tenants refusing access. If that happens, you will need to show proof that you have undertaken the steps to communicate with them about the visit. If the tenants refuse to let the engineer in, you can do the following:
- Send three letters to the tenants, asking them to allow the inspection.
- Try to get help from the council. An official can reach out to the tenants and explain to them how important the gas safety check is.
- Use a section 21 notice to evict the tenants.
- In extreme cases, you can apply for an injunction from the court.
Using the solutions presented in steps three and four should be a last resort. They can be pretty expensive and if you resort to them, you will need to find new tenants to replace old ones.
Can I get penalised if the property I rent does not have a gas safety certificate?
As a landlord, you have to be aware of the fact that failing to comply with Gas Safety Regulations represents a serious criminal offence. If you are unable to provide the gas safety certificate, you can face fines and/or imprisonment for up to six months.
Having a gas safety certificate is a legal obligation. If you do not carry out a gas safety check, you can face enforcement actions, for example, remedial action, or prohibition.
Do all gas appliances located at the property need to be checked?
The short answer to this question is yes. Any gas appliances that you as a landlord provided in the flat you are renting have to be checked. Sometimes that means only things such as the boiler, over, and a cooker will be inspected.
If at the property there are any gas appliances that tenants have brought, you can ask them if they’ll agree for the engineers to check them. This way you can make sure that all the appliances found in the flat are safe.
Who is an engineer registered with Gas Safe?
Gas Safe Register is the official gas registration body for the UK. All gas engineers in the country are required by law to be listed on the Gas Safe Register. That ensures that they have adequate qualifications to carry out gas safety checks. Each Gas Safe Registered engineer will have an ID card that explains what work they are allowed to perform. If you have doubts about the engineer who’s coming to your property, you can ask them to show you their ID card before carrying out the inspection. It is always recommended to ask for it, especially if you are using a certain gas company for the first time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does a gas safety check need to be carried out?
A gas safety check is an annual inspection, which means you have to schedule it every 12 months. If new tenants move into the property, you can provide them with a copy of the most recent check. You do not have to carry out a new check if the previous one is still valid.
How to get a gas safety certificate?
If you are a landlord and you want to receive a gas safety certificate for the property you are renting, you will need to contact Gas Safe. You can do it by calling 0800 408 5500. They will ask you about your location and will help you find an engineer who works in your area.
Can any engineer carry out a gas safety check?
Not all engineers are qualified to carry out gas safety checks. They must be registered with Gas Safe and have qualifications allowing them to do gas inspections.
What is done during a gas safety check?
During the annual gas safety inspection, an engineer will check the safety of all appliances. They will verify whether the appliances work correctly and make sure that they do not pose a threat to tenants’ lives.
Can tenants sue the landlord for not carrying out the gas safety check?
If a landlord fails to carry out a gas safety check, tenants can complain to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which can prosecute them for not fulfilling their gas safety obligation. Tenants can also contact the council and ask them to take action against the landlord for making the property unsafe.