A boiler service and a landlord’s gas safety check are not the same visit. If you let a property in Selly Oak, Bournville or Northfield, knowing the difference matters for both your tenants and your records.
Three things to know.
- Schedule a Gas Safety Record check every 12 months
- Provide tenants with a copy of the safety certificate
- Install carbon monoxide alarms in rooms with fuel-burning appliances
The legal basics
Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, landlords must:
- Every gas appliance, fitting and flue you provide must be safety checked every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
- Give existing tenants a copy of the Gas Safety Record within 28 days of the check, and new tenants before they move in.
- Keep records for at least two years.
Safety check vs service
A gas safety check confirms appliances are safe to use. A service goes further — cleaning, checking components and making sure the boiler runs efficiently. Many landlords book both together, which also keeps manufacturer warranties valid.
Alarms
Carbon monoxide alarms are required in rented rooms with a fixed combustion appliance, such as a gas boiler (excluding gas cookers). Test them at the start of each tenancy.
For appliance-specific steps, follow your boiler or product manual. Work inside a gas boiler must be left to a Gas Safe registered engineer.