Landlord Gas Safety Certificate

Yes. Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, landlords must:

• Have an annual check: Every gas appliance, fitting and flue provided for the tenants' use must be checked for safety at least every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
• Give tenants the record: Existing tenants must receive a copy within 28 days of the check, and new tenants before they move in.
• Keep the records: Each record must be kept until at least two further checks have been carried out, which in practice means at least two years.
• Maintain the installation: Pipework, appliances and flues must be kept safe all year round, usually by following the manufacturer's servicing advice.

The duty covers appliances and flues you provide. If a tenant owns an appliance, such as their own cooker, the appliance itself is their responsibility, but the pipework that feeds it remains yours. Failing to meet these duties is a criminal offence, and the regulations are enforced by the Health and Safety Executive.

A gas safety record covers 12 months. The next check must be done within 12 months of the last one.

A check can be carried out up to two months before the deadline and still keep the original anniversary date. If this year's check was in June, next year's can be done from April without bringing the following deadline forward. A check done earlier than that resets the date.

The record shows the condition of the installation on the day of the check, not a promise that it will stay safe, which is why the maintenance duty continues all year.

For each gas appliance and flue, the engineer typically checks:

• Gas tightness: That there are no leaks from the meter to the appliances.
• Burner pressure or gas rate: That each appliance burns the amount of gas the manufacturer sets.
• Combustion: Where appropriate, a flue gas analysis to check it is burning cleanly.
• Flues: That the flue is clear and correctly fitted, and carries combustion products safely outside.
• Ventilation: That the appliance has the air supply it needs, and vents are not blocked.
• Safety devices: That flame supervision devices shut the gas off when they should.
• Physical condition: Cooker stability brackets, secure fixing, and signs of damage or overheating.

The record lists the date, the address, the landlord's name and address, each appliance and flue checked, any defects and the action taken, and the engineer's name, Gas Safe registration number and signature.

The engineer follows the gas industry's unsafe situations procedure, which uses three main classifications:

• Immediately Dangerous (ID): A risk to life or property now. With permission, the appliance is disconnected and labelled "Do not use".
• At Risk (AR): Faults that could become dangerous. The appliance is turned off with permission and labelled until repaired.
• Not to Current Standards (NCS): Not dangerous, but not to today's standards. Recorded and advised on.

A failed appliance must not be used until it is repaired. We can carry out the work through our boiler repair or gas plumbing services, or our boiler replacement service if a boiler is beyond economic repair.

They are different. A gas safety check confirms that each appliance is safe to use. A boiler service goes further: the boiler is opened up, cleaned and adjusted so it keeps working efficiently. Many landlords book both at the same visit, which also helps show the installation is being maintained.

Since 1 October 2022, landlords in England, both private and social, must:

• Fit a carbon monoxide alarm in every room used as living accommodation that contains a fixed combustion appliance, such as a gas boiler, gas fire or wood burner. Gas cookers are excluded.
• Fit a smoke alarm on every storey used as living accommodation.
• Repair or replace alarms once told they are faulty.

Private landlords must also check the alarms are working on the first day of each new tenancy. We test existing carbon monoxide alarms during the gas safety check, and new alarms can be fitted through our fire alarm installation and maintenance service. If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, see our emergency boiler services page.

• Houses in multiple occupation: The same annual check applies to every gas appliance and flue the landlord provides, in shared and private areas.
• Letting agents: A management agreement can make the agent responsible for arranging the check. It should say clearly who does what, and landlords should still make sure the check has happened.
• Access: Your tenancy agreement should give you access for the check, but you cannot force entry. If a tenant refuses, keep a record of every attempt to arrange access. We can contact tenants directly to book a time.