For landlords

Gas safety certificate vs EICR: what does a landlord need?

Landlords have two separate duties. Gas safety needs an annual check, every 12 months, by a Gas Safe registered engineer under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. Electrical safety needs an EICR at least every 5 years under the 2020 rules. They are different checks, done by different qualified people.

Reviewed by Jordan Valentine-Dunn, Gas Safe registered engineer · Portsmouth Gas Heating · Last reviewed July 2026

Renting out a property in England brings two separate safety duties, and they are easy to muddle. One covers gas, the other covers electrics. They run on different timescales, sit under different regulations, and are carried out by different qualified people, so a landlord needs both.

Gas and electrical safety compared

Gas: an annual gas safety check, every 12 months, by a Gas Safe registered engineer, under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
Electrical: an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) at least every 5 years, under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020.
The electrical rules came into force on 1 June 2020, applying to all new tenancies from 1 July 2020 and existing tenancies from 1 April 2021.
So gas is annual and electrical is five-yearly: different checks, by different qualified people.

The EICR must be given to a new tenant before they move in, and to current tenants within 28 days of the test. Any remedial work identified must be done within the time stated on the report, or within 28 days. Non-compliance with the electrical rules can bring a fine of up to £30,000 per offence.

This covers England; Wales and Scotland have their own equivalents. The gas check can only be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and the EICR by a qualified electrician. This is general information, not legal advice for your tenancy.

Frequently asked

Is an EICR the same as a gas safety certificate?

No. They are two different checks. A gas safety certificate comes from an annual gas safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer, while an EICR is an electrical report done at least every 5 years by a qualified electrician. A landlord needs both.

How often does a landlord need an EICR?

At least every 5 years under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. The report must be given to a new tenant before they move in, and to current tenants within 28 days of the test.

What is the penalty for not having an EICR?

Non-compliance with the electrical safety rules can bring a fine of up to £30,000 per offence. The gas duties are separate and carry their own penalties, so a landlord needs to keep both the gas check and the EICR current.

Sources

Last reviewed July 2026. This guide is general information, not legal or safety advice, gas safety work must be carried out by an appropriately Gas Safe registered engineer. Rules can change, so check the linked official sources for the current position.

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