Buying a home
If you're buying a new home you should be aware that most
homebuyer surveys do not include a gas safety check. It's up to you
to make sure the gas is safe. Ask the vendor for a gas safety
record or arrange your own gas safety check.
If your vendor can't supply an up to date gas safety record, get
a Gas Safe
registered engineer to check the appliances. This check should
include the boiler, oven, hob and gas fires. The registered
engineer will give the vendor a gas safety record, which they
should handover to you before you move in.
Renting or letting a home
Whether you're a landlord or a tenant, make sure you understand
the laws about
gas safety.
Landlords
If you're a landlord, the Gas Safety (Installation and Use)
Regulations 1998 places responsibilities on you to make sure your
tenants are safe. If you let a property, you must make sure that
the gas pipe work, flues and appliances you supply for your tenants
are in good condition. A Gas Safe registered engineer must carry
out a safety check in your properties every year, and give you a
Gas Safety Record.
The Gas Safety Record confirms the gas appliances have been
checked and are safe. You must give your tenants a copy of the
record within 28 days of the safety check or before they move in.
You must also show your tenants how they can turn off the gas
supply in the event of a gas leak.
Remember, you must keep a record of each safety check for two
years. Visit the HSE website for
more information about landlords' responsibility for gas
safety.
Tenants
Your landlord has specific legal responsibilities when it comes
to gas safety. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations
1998 requires your landlord to have a gas safety check done by a
Gas Safe registered engineer every year.
It's important to cooperate with your landlord and allow the
engineer in to do the gas safety check. Your landlord must give you
a copy of the Gas Safety Record, which gives information about the
safety checks that have been done, within 28 days. If you're a new
tenant, get a copy of the record before you move in.
If you own the gas appliances in your rented property your
landlord is not responsible for getting them safety checked, you
are. However, your landlord may still be responsible for the
maintenance of the gas pipe work and any chimney or flue that
serves your appliances. If this is the case, you and your landlord
should arrange the gas safety check together.
If you think that your landlord is not complying with the law
you should get in touch with the Health and Safety Authority for
your area. Failure to follow gas safety requirements is a criminal
offence and the Health and Safety Executive can issue a formal
caution and may prosecute your landlord.
Gas emergencies
If you smell gas, call the 24 hour emergency gas service for
your area:
- Great Britain and Guernsey: 0800 111 999
- Isle of Man: 01624 644 444
- Northern Ireland: 0800 002 001
