In relation to domestic gas under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (GS(IU)R 98), a landlord is anyone who rents out a property that they own under a lease that is shorter than 7 years or under a licence. Regardless of whether you are a landlord under GS(IU)R 98 you may be considered a landlord under other related legislation. Landlords’ duties apply to a wide range of accommodation, occupied under a lease or licence, which includes, but not exclusively:

• Residential premises provided for rent by local authorities, housing associations, private sector landlords, housing co-operatives, hostels
• Rooms let in bed-sit accommodation, private households, bed and breakfast accommodation and hotels
• Rented holiday accommodation such as chalets, cottages, flats, caravans and narrow boats on inland waterways.

The gas safety check record is a record of the results of the checks carried out for the annual gas safety check. It should be issued on completion of the checks and not delayed even if defects are found or until necessary remedial action has been taken.
The record is a living document and landlords should supplement it with records of any follow up action taken (if required). This would provide a full record of the gas safety within the property.
You should not assume that an annual service inspection includes the points required by a safety check; neither should you assume that carrying out an annual gas safety check will be sufficient to provide effective maintenance. The advice of a competent Gas Safe registered engineer should be taken where necessary on action required.

If defects are found, landlords must take appropriate action to ensure gas safety. The gas safety check record entails the results of the annual gas safety check. It should be issued on completion of the checks and not delayed even if concerns are found and not delayed until necessary safety actions have been taken. The record is a living document and landlords should supplement it with records of any follow-up action taken (if required). This would provide a full record of the gas safety within the property.

We strongly recommend the use of CO alarms as one useful precaution to give tenants advance warning of CO in the property. Importantly, alarms should not be regarded as a replacement for regular maintenance and safety checks by a Landlord Safety Certificates registered engineer is crucial.

Landlord safety checks should be completed annually, and servicing occurring according to manufacturer’s instructions.