Landlord responsibilities: boiler and gas safety
A landlord’s responsibility for boiler and gas safety should be one of the top priorities. It’s a legal requirement that a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer should inspect the gas supply and appliances at a rented property at least every 12 months.
A landlord’s responsibility for boiler and gas safety should be one of the top priorities.
It’s a legal requirement that a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer should inspect the gas supply and appliances at a rented property at least every 12 months.
By law, a landlord must:
- Repair and maintain gas pipework, flues, and appliances in a safe condition
- Make an annual gas safety check on each appliance and flue
- Keep a record of each safety check
What are landlord responsibilities for boilers?
The Landlord and Tenant Act (1985) states that landlords must keep in good repair and working order installations that supply water, gas and electricity, as well as sanitation systems. Landlords are also responsible for space heating and water heating systems.
Therefore, landlords are legally responsible for making sure the boiler is serviced and safe for continued use.
Why get your boiler serviced 
An annual boiler service will:
- Help to protect tenants from potentially lethal gases, such as carbon monoxide
- Help to ensure the efficiency of the boiler. This will save tenants money on heating bills and is better for the environment
- Reduce the likelihood of emergency call outs. This means there won’t be a hit with large, unexpected bills, and tenants won’t be without heating or hot water
Tip: Make sure items are not stored around the boiler as many boilers need ventilation to run safely.
Who can carry out a boiler service?
A gas boiler service must be done every 12 months and be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. A Gas Safe engineer will check the boiler and its controls. They will also check for leaks to make sure the pressure is correct, and test the flue for any toxic fumes.
How much does a gas boiler service cost?
When it comes to the cost of servicing a boiler, there are two options:
- Book a boiler service as a one-off fee. This will cost around £80 for a gas boiler*
- Take out boiler and central heating cover. Typically, this sits in the region of £180 – £300 per year, and includes any boiler breakdowns, offering you additional peace of mind
*If you have an oil, electric combi boiler, or commercial boiler, please read our post on boiler service cost for more information.
What are landlord gas responsibilities?
Landlord responsibilities for gas safety checks are covered under the Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998. This piece of legislation states that it’s a mandatory requirement for landlords to ensure the safety of their tenants. Landlords are legally obliged to have any gas appliances serviced with the frequency required by the manufacturer.
- Any gas appliance owned by the landlord and provided for the tenant’s use is included with the landlord’s legal duties
- If a tenant has their own gas appliances, not provided by the landlord, the landlord is only responsible for parts of the associated installation and pipework, but not for the appliance itself
Who can carry out a gas safety check? 
A gas safety check must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. A landlord is legally required to make sure this is the case.
Tip: Make sure tenants know where and how to turn the gas supply off in the event of an emergency.
What is covered by a gas safety check?
A Gas Safe engineer will check all gas appliances within the property. This includes the boiler, cooker, and fire. All fittings, chimneys and flues will also be checked as part of this inspection.
While it’s not included within the gas safety check, it’s recommended you ask your Gas Safe engineer to also test and examine the pipework by asking for a visual examination of the pipework and for the engineer to test the tightness of the gas system, including installation pipework.
Upon completion of a gas safety check, providing all appliances are safe, you’ll be issued with a CP12 Certificate. You must give a copy of this certificate to your tenant within 28 days of issue. You must also keep copies of the gas safety checks for at least two years.
How much does a gas safety check cost?
The cost of a gas safety certificate is around £80 and should be carried out every 10 – 12 months.
Book your landlord boiler service and gas safety check
To ensure compliance with the law, and to help identify any minor issues before they become major, more costly problems, book a Gas Safe engineer to visit your tenanted property.
A Gas Safe engineer is the only person legally allowed to complete this job, so use our request a quote feature to get multiple quotes from Checkatrade members in your area now.
What’s more, when you book a guaranteed tradesperson with Checkatrade, you’ll not only have peace of mind that your Gas Safe engineer comes highly recommended but also that their work is covered for 12 months.
FAQs
How long does a landlord have to fix a broken boiler?
Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act (1985) outlines that repairs should be carried out in a ‘reasonable time’. Having no heating or hot water constitutes a hazard under the law, therefore emergency repairs should be fixed within 24-hours.
Does my landlord have to service my old boiler?
Yes. By law, a landlord is legally required to have the boiler in their tenanted property serviced every year by a Gas Safe engineer.
When should a landlord replace a boiler?
As a general rule of thumb, if the boiler is more than 15 years old, it’s often worth considering replacing it, before it starts costing you in repairs.
Some warning signs that the boiler might need replacing include: banging, whistling or gurgling noises, leaking, increased frequency of repairs, taking longer to heat up, and rooms not heating evenly throughout the property.
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