Health and Safety
Executive / Commission
Gas Safety - Domestic
In relation to domestic gas under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (GS(IU)R 98), a landlord is anyone who rents out a property that they own under a lease that is shorter than 7 years or under a licence . Regardless of whether you are a landlord under GS(IU)R 98 you may be considered a landlord under other related legislation.
Landlords’ duties apply to a wide range of accommodation, occupied under a lease or licence , which includes, but not exclusively:
Further details are given in HSC’s Approved Code of Practice ‘Safety in the installation and use of gas systems and appliances’ which can be ordered through HSE books.
You have duties under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 to arrange maintenance by a CORGI-registered installer for all pipe work, appliances and flues, which you own and have provided for your tenants use. You must also arrange for an annual gas safety check to be carried out every 12 months by a CORGI-registered installer. You must keep a record of the safety check 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.
Landlords who use agents to manage properties need to ensure that the management contract clearly specifies who is responsible for carrying out the maintenance and safety check duties, and keeping associated records. If the contract specifies that the agent has responsibility then the same duties under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 that apply to a landlord apply to you.
In this situation an agent must arrange maintenance by a CORGI-registered installer for all pipe work, appliances and flues, which the landlord owns and provides for the tenants use. You must also arrange for an annual gas safety check to be carried out every 12 months by a CORGI- registered installer. You must keep a record of the safety check 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.
Yes. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations state that landlords must only use a CORGI registered installer for maintenance and safety checks on gas equipment they own and provide for tenants use in domestic premises. You must check that the CORGI-registered installer is competent to work in that specific area of gas. This is clearly marked on the back of the installer’s CORGI registration card. If in any doubt you can ring CORGI or check their website to see if the installer is registered. Further information is provided under our registration body page.
HSE strongly recommends the use of CO alarms as one useful precaution to give tenants advance warning of CO in the property. Importantly alarms should not be regarded as a replacement for regular maintenance and safety checks by a CORGI-registered installer. CO alarms cost between £20-£30 and can be purchased in most hardware shops. Before purchasing a CO alarm, always ensure it complies with British Standard EN 50291 and carries a British or European approval mark, such as a Kitemark. CO alarms should be installed and maintained in line with the manufacturer’s instructions .
Any gas appliance that you own and provide for the tenant’s use is included in your legal duties. If a tenant has their own gas appliance that you have not provided, then you have responsibilities for parts of the associated installation and pipe work but not for the actual appliance.
There are some good practice measures that you could adopt with appliances that tenants own:
You must visually check the property to see if the departing tenant has either removed appliances unsafely, or alternatively left behind their own appliance, which should either be removed or checked for safety by a CORGI-registered installer. The opportunity should be taken to clarify appliance ownership prior to renting the property again.
If you suspect that an appliance could have been tampered with, or there is the possibility of vandalism while a property remains empty, then HSE recommends you arrange for another gas safety check to be completed by a CORGI-registered installer before giving access to new tenants.
Before you re-let the property you need to ensure that all appliances are safe and have an up to date landlord's gas safety certificate (a copy of which needs to be given to the new tenant); it is also good practice to arrange for the pipe work to be inspected and tested for soundness.
A landlord has to show that they took all reasonable steps to comply with the law. HSE recommends the following best practice in these circumstances and strongly advises that a record be kept of all correspondence with the tenants:
If a gas appliance has been switched off by a CORGI-registered installer it is because it is unsafe and should not be used. No matter how inconvenient the situation is for the tenant such action helps to ensure their safety. If a heating appliance has been disconnected then you must provide your tenant with emergency heating, for more information on this contact your local authority whilst arranging for appropriate remedial work by a CORGI registered installer.
Yes. So long as the electronic copy is:
A landlord or gas installer, with the landlord’s agreement, may send or give a copy of the electronic record directly to the tenant, providing the tenant is happy with this arrangement and has the ability to access it.
Since 31 October 1998, any room converted to use as sleeping accommodation should not contain the following types of gas appliances:
If a room contains one or more of the above appliances and was used as a bedroom prior to 1998 then you will need to do a risk assessment to determine if it can still be used as a bedroom. If you are unsure of the safety of any gas appliance you should get a CORGI-registered installer to check it for you.
Yes, Landlord duties for LPG appliances are the same as for natural gas. The landlord must arrange maintenance by a CORGI-registered installer for all LPG appliances which they own and provide for tenants and have a CORGI-registered installer carry out a safety check carried out at least once every 12 months.
In addition to maintenance, there are some further safety precautions to take with LPG heaters:
If a managing agent is used to help you meet your duties, make sure that the management contract clearly specifies who is to make the arrangements for maintenance and safety checks. HSE strongly advises that you request to see copies of the maintenance information and safety check from the management agency to ensure maintenance has been completed, which will also help to fulfill your other legal duties.
If you have shared ownership of your property and the lease is for longer than 7 years the housing company does not have landlord’s duties under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (GS(IU)R 98). In this situation you would have the same responsibilities as a home owner.
In situations where a lease is shorter than 7 years then the housing company would be classified as a landlord under GS(IU)R 98. The contract between you and the housing company should clearly state who is responsible for the associated duties for domestic gas safety.
You are putting lives at risk and breaking the law. HSE gives gas safety a high priority and will take the appropriate action to ensure compliance with the regulations; this could result in a substantial fine and/or a custodial sentence. For further information visit our enforcement page.
CORGI has no control over installers’ charges. It is advised that you obtain quotes from three different installers before hiring someone.
It is illegal for anyone to use a gas appliance if they suspect it is unsafe. Turn the appliance off and do not touch it until it has been checked by a CORGI-registered installer.
The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations have an accompanying Approved Code of Practice titled ‘Safety in the installation and use of gas systems and appliances’. This gives practical advice and guidance to those with responsibilities under the regulations and can be ordered through HSE books.
Free leaflets explaining some of the main requirements of landlords, under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 and general gas safety information are available from HSE.
HSE runs a free Gas Safety Advice Line offering advice on gas safety that is open 8am-8pm Monday- Friday and 10am-4pm on a Saturday. To contact the Gas Safety Advice Line freephone 0800 300 363
In addition to this, CORGI offer lots of advice and guidance to landlords, including seminars, consultancy services and an email information service. More information can be accessed on their website.