For landlords

Does a landlord need a gas safety certificate?

Yes. If you let a property with gas appliances, the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 require you to have them and their flues checked every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer, keep the record for two years, and give each tenant a copy, within 28 days of the check, or before a new tenant moves in.

Your legal duties as a landlord

Have every gas appliance and flue you're responsible for checked for safety every 12 months.
Use a Gas Safe registered engineer, always check their ID card and that they're registered for the appliance type.
Give existing tenants a copy of the record within 28 days of the check.
Give new tenants a copy before they move in.
Keep records for at least two years.
Maintain pipework, appliances and flues in a safe condition throughout the tenancy.

Which properties this applies to

The duty covers most residential lettings: assured shorthold tenancies, room lets, and many houses in multiple occupation. It applies to gas the landlord provides; a tenant's own appliance is usually their responsibility, though the connecting installation and flue often remain the landlord's. If you're unsure who's responsible for a specific appliance, your engineer can advise.

What happens if you don't comply

Failing to arrange checks or maintain gas safely is a criminal offence carrying fines and, in serious cases, imprisonment. Beyond the legal risk, an out-of-date record can complicate insurance and, in England, the ability to serve a Section 21 notice.

The hardest part isn't the check; it's never missing a renewal across a portfolio. Tracking each property's next-due date and chasing it automatically is exactly what a compliance tool is for.

Frequently asked

How often does a landlord gas safety check need to be done?

Every 12 months. You can bring the check forward by up to two months (from 10 months after the last check) and keep your original renewal date, which makes scheduling a portfolio easier.

Who is responsible for the gas safety check, landlord or tenant?

The landlord. The duty to arrange the annual check and keep records sits with the landlord (or their managing agent), not the tenant. Tenants should allow access for the check to be carried out.

Does a letting agent handle the gas safety certificate?

Often, yes, if you've agreed they manage compliance. The legal duty still ultimately rests with the landlord, so it's worth confirming in writing who arranges checks and keeps the records.

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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