As far as letting out a property is concerned, gas safety is a fundamental part of managing a tenancy and there are legal obligations that must be met to ensure that tenants are safe. The checks that need to be undertaken are part of the requirements to meet the Gas Safety Regulations 1998. In order to be compliant with the legislation a Landlord Gas Safety Record, commonly known as a gas safety certificate, must be issued by a registered engineer.
As a landlord, you are legally responsible for the safety of your tenants in relation to gas safety. By law you must:
- Repair and maintain gas pipework, flues and appliances in a safe condition
- Ensure an annual gas safety check on each appliance and flue
- Keep a record of each safety check
You should also keep your tenants informed about their responsibilities while they are staying in your property.
Landlords need a gas safety certificate because they have a duty to provide safe homes for their tenants. Failure to do so can result in financial penalties, imprisonment or both.
As a landlord, you need to be clear about what is expected of you to ensure that you are compliant with the regulations and providing safe accommodation. Under UK law, landlords are responsible for maintenance, ensuring safety checks are completed and record-keeping of annual checks.
