Gas safety is one of the most important legal obligations a landlord has. Get it wrong and the consequences can be severe — fines, imprisonment and, most seriously, harm to your tenants. Here is what the law requires.
The Legal Requirement
Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, landlords must:
- Have all gas appliances and flues checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer every 12 months
- Keep a record of each check for at least 2 years
- Provide a copy of the current Gas Safety Record to existing tenants within 28 days of the check
- Provide a copy to new tenants before they move in
What Gets Inspected
The engineer will check all gas appliances in the property — boilers, gas fires, gas cookers and any other gas-powered equipment — as well as the associated flues and pipework.
The Consequences of Not Complying
Failure to comply with Gas Safety Regulations can result in:
- A fine of up to £6,000 per breach
- Up to 6 months imprisonment
- Inability to serve a Section 21 notice to end a tenancy
- Civil liability if a tenant is harmed
We Make It Simple for Surrey Landlords
We carry out gas safety checks and issue CP12 certificates for landlords across all Surrey postcodes — often same or next day. We also offer a reminder service so you never miss a renewal. Call us on 07733 019491.