The core gas safety responsibilities for landlords, including annual checks, tenant records, maintenance and engineer registration. This guide is written for practical decision-making and links to the sources used for verification.
Use a Gas Safe registered engineer
A landlord must arrange an annual safety check on each relevant gas appliance and flue provided for tenants. The work must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer who is competent for the type of appliance and gas.
Gas pipework must also be maintained in a safe condition, even though the annual record is focused on appliances and flues. A planned maintenance approach is better than waiting for the yearly visit to reveal a fault.
Records and tenant copies
The landlord should give an existing tenant a copy of the gas safety record within 28 days of the check and give a new tenant the current record before they move in. Records must be retained for at least two years.
HSE guidance permits flexibility to complete a check in the two months before the due date while preserving the original annual cycle, provided the detailed conditions are followed.
- Confirm the engineer’s Gas Safe registration and categories
- Include every landlord-provided gas appliance and relevant flue
- Give the record to tenants on time
- Retain at least two years of records
- Act promptly on defects and warning notices
Access and appliances owned by tenants
Landlords should take all reasonable steps to obtain access, keep records of contact attempts and explain the safety purpose of the visit. Do not use force without lawful authority.
A tenant-owned appliance is generally outside the landlord’s annual appliance-check duty, but the connecting flue and installation responsibilities can still be relevant. Obtain property-specific advice where ownership or supply is unclear.
Research and verification
Authoritative sources
Use these primary and specialist sources to check the current rule and read further.
Requirements can change and unusual properties may need specialist advice. Check the latest official source and the facts of the property before relying on a compliance conclusion.
