INFORMATION FOR TENANTS

Make sure your landlord is complying with the law

Your landlord has specific legal responsibilities when it comes to gas safety. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations require your landlord to have a gas safety check done by a Gas Safe registered engineer every twelve months.

Ask your landlord for an up-to-date landlord’s gas safety certificate (also known as a gas safety record). This will show the appliances in the property have been safety checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

What is a gas safety check?

Faulty gas appliances and fittings and blocked flues can cause the following gas safety risks:

Gas leaks
Fires
Explosions
Carbon monoxide poisoning

A Gas Safe registered engineer will check these are in good working order and safe to use. After the gas safety check, the engineer will give your landlord a record of the checks carried out. Your landlord must give you a copy of this gas safety certificate (also known as a gas safety record) within 28 days. If you are a new tenant, you should get a copy of this before you move in.

If a Gas Safe registered engineer visits you to safety check your appliances, it is in the interests of your safety to let them into the property. Always ask to see their Gas Safe Register ID card before letting them in.

What is a gas safety certificate?

If you are renting a property from a private landlord, from the council, a housing association or any other landlord, ask for a copy of the gas safety certificate.

When a Gas Safe registered engineer does a gas safety check in your home, using a form they will write down details of the checks that they carried out. This form is a gas safety certificate, also known as a gas safety record. It will list each of the appliances and other gas fittings they checked.

Your landlord should have given you a copy of the gas safety certificate; check the date to make sure it is not more than 12 months old.

They must give you a copy of a gas safety certificate within 28 days of the checks being done.

If you’re a new tenant, ask your landlord or letting agent for a copy of the gas safety certificate before you move in.

What if I own the gas appliances in my rented property?

If you own the gas appliances in your rented property, your landlord is not responsible for getting them safety checked, you are. But, your landlord may still be responsible for the maintenance of the gas pipe work and any chimney or flue that serves your appliances. In which case, you and your landlord should arrange the gas safety check together.

What to do if you think your landlord isn’t gas safe

If you think that your landlord is not complying with the law you should get in touch with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Failure to follow gas safety requirements is a criminal offence and the HSE can issue a formal caution and may prosecute your landlord.

Gas emergencies in a rented property

Make sure you know what to do in a gas emergency. Knowing the signs of danger and carbon monoxide poisoning could save your life.

Ask your landlord to show you how to turn off the gas supply if there is a gas leak. If you smell gas, call the 24 hour emergency gas service on 0800 111999.

What Next?

Understanding your Landlord's legal obligations
Make sure that your Landlord is complying with the law

Carbon monoxide poisoning
Make sure you understand the signs and symptoms of this killer gas