Is there a grace period for a gas safety certificate?

It is a legal requirement in the UK for any property that is rented out to have a gas safety certificate. This means that it is the responsibility of the landlord to ensure that a valid certificate is always in place, for every property they let out.

What is involved?

An annual check on all gas appliances and flues must be completed by a Gas Safe registered engineer. As of April 2018, this certificate can be renewed between 10 and 12 months from the previous check, while preserving the original expiry date.

Is there a grace period?

No, there is no grace period. A landlord must always have a valid certificate for each rental property.

What does the landlord do with the certificate?

The landlord must issue tenants with a copy of the certificate either before they move in, or within 28 days of completion for existing tenants. The landlord must also keep a copy of each certificate for a minimum of two years.

What happens if anything fails the test?

If anything does not pass the test, the Gas Safe engineer must disconnect that appliance. It cannot be reconnected until it is either replaced or satisfactorily repaired.

Why do landlords need this certificate?

It is a legal requirement to have the correct, current certificate in place. Not only that, but as an explosion or carbon monoxide poisoning could kill someone, it is in the landlord’s best interests to adhere to these rules. It legally protects the landlord from potential fines or even imprisonment, and could save the lives of their tenants too.