Gas Safety Checks: What Are They and Who Can Make Them?

What does the law say?

Gas safety checks are a legal requirement for all landlords in the UK. All landlords must make sure gas appliances, pipework and flues provided in their property meet safety regulations, and they must have a Gas Safe registered engineer inspect these annually. These inspections are imperative in ensuring the safety of the people living in the properties with gas-using appliances. But what exactly do they involve and who is qualified to carry out the checks? 

Under the Gas Safety Regulations 1998, it is a legal requirement that all gas appliances, pipework and flues placed in any property must be checked once a year by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The law states that any landlord, or an individual living in a rental property, must have the gas safety check carried out by someone who is on the Gas Safe Register. The register is the official list of Gas Safe registered businesses and engineers across the UK and contains all the information regarding gas safety. 

Who can make the checks? 

In order for an engineer to be on the Gas Safe Register, they must be trained and qualified to carry out safety checks. Any engineer making gas safety checks in a rented property must be on the register and qualified to work on the type of gas appliance being inspected. You can check whether an engineer is licensed to carry out these inspections through the Gas Safe Register online. It is important to note that it is illegal for anyone else but a Gas Safe registered engineer to carry out a gas safety check. 

What does a gas safety check involve? 

When a Gas Safe engineer visits your property to carry out a gas safety check, there are certain procedures they will go through to ensure the safety of the appliances. Firstly, the engineer will visually inspect the property to ensure there are no gas leaks. They will then check whether the appliances are working and burning the gas correctly and safely. This will involve checking the flue to make sure it is free from obstructions, checking for any signs of corrosion, and adjusting the pressures and heat input if needed. 

What documentation should I receive? 

Once the checks have been completed, the Gas Safe engineer will provide you with a certificate and a copy of the records. This document is key to showing that a gas safety check has been made and that the engineer found the appliances to be safe and in good working order. The records should also include details of all the work carried out, as well as any instructions given. 

What do I need to do with the gas safety certificate? 

Once you receive the gas safety certificate, it is essential that you keep it in order to maintain compliance with the law. You must also provide tenants or prospective tenants with a copy of this within 28 days of the check. You should also keep these copies on file for at least two years in the event of any further inspection from the local authority or Gas Safe Register. 

Gas safety checks are vital in making sure your property and tenants are safe and protected. They should be carried out annually, and it is important to have them conducted by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Make sure to keep records and certificates in order to properly demonstrate your compliance with the regulations.