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Landlords have responsibilities to ensure their rental properties are safe and fit for human habitation. Legislation protecting tenants includes taking specified measures such as arranging checks and maintenance to ensure high standards of electrical, fire and gas safety.
One of the essential gas safety responsibilities for landlords is to have a valid Gas Safety Certificate. If you are a Surrey landlord with rental property in Esher, Cobham, Claygate or surrounding areas, read on to find out more about arranging Gas Safety Certificates and how to stay compliant.
A Gas Safety Certificate is a document that is issued by a Gas Safe registered engineer when they conduct gas safety checks. The engineer performs a number of checks on all the gas appliances and installations in the rented property to assess whether they are safe. If all the gas safety inspections meet safety requirements, a Gas Safety Record is issued.
The checks include inspections of all gas appliances and flues, pipework and ventilation, and the engineer examines factors such as whether there are any leaks, faulty installations or carbon monoxide risks.
Private rented properties must have valid Gas Safety Certificates, with checks required on an annual basis. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations outline the landlord gas safety requirements, including that gas safety checks are conducted every 12 months, and that they are performed by Gas Safe engineers. Landlords can use the Gas Safe register to find local engineers.
Another legal requirement for landlords is to provide a copy of the Gas Safety Certificate to the tenant within 28 days of the inspection or for new tenants, a copy should be provided before they move into the property.

Gas safety requirements also include installing carbon monoxide alarms in any room used for living accommodation that has a fixed combustion appliance, excluding gas cookers.
When the engineer issues your property’s Gas Safety Certificate, it will show the following:
If the engineer conducts the gas safety checks and identifies any safety issues, they will categorise the issue based on severity. If an appliance or flue is deemed to present immediate danger, the engineer will disconnect the appliance. If any issue is unable to be resolved and there is still danger to the tenant, it is illegal for the tenant to continue living in the property.
If the lower category of At Risk is applied, the engineer will provide recommendations for repairs and once the repairs are made another inspection will be required. If the appliance then passes the safety checks, a Gas Safety Certificate will be issued.
Want to know more? Explore what certificates landlords need and find out about pets in rental properties.
The cost of a Gas Safety Certificate in Surrey is around £60 to £90. The cost will be determined by how many appliances and installations need to be checked, so larger properties often cost more for Gas Safety Certificates compared to smaller properties. If any essential repairs are required, there will be additional costs for these.
Rented properties require annual gas safety checks, so certificates last for 12 months.
Not providing tenants with a valid Gas Safety Certificate is a criminal offence that carries fines of up to £6,000 and in extreme cases, landlords could face imprisonment. If you do not supply the tenant with a copy of a valid Gas Safety Certificate, you are in breach of the regulations, and this will mean that you could face issues should you want to evict your tenants.
Annual gas safety checks are just one of the many responsibilities landlords in Surrey have to comply with. From our offices in Cobham, Hinchley Wood and Claygate, we support Surrey landlords in meeting their compliance requirements. Get in touch if you would like to find out more about how we can help you.
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