Gas safety checks and landlord records in London

What you are booking

The enquiry should identify the appliances to be checked, the property and the person responsible for it. A flat with one boiler and a property with a boiler, hob and gas fire require different preparation. Include appliances that are disconnected, unused or difficult to reach so their status can be clarified rather than omitted from the conversation.

The check must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer with the appropriate categories for the work. Verify the attending engineer’s identification and relevant work categories. A company name or a general plumbing description does not, by itself, establish authorisation for every gas appliance or installation.

Landlord timing and record responsibilities

For relevant rented residential accommodation, landlords must arrange an annual safety check of the gas appliances and flues they provide. HSE says the resulting record must be kept for at least two years, supplied to existing tenants within 28 days and given to new tenants before they move in.

Maintenance is an additional responsibility. A safety check records the condition at the inspection; it does not remove the need to maintain the installation or act on subsequent faults. Where a managing agent handles appointments, specify who arranges checks, retains records and sends them to tenants. Use the linked HSE guidance for the full responsibilities and exceptions.

A boiler service is a separate task

A service follows the appliance manufacturer’s maintenance requirements and assesses its condition and operation as part of that work. A landlord gas safety check has a different purpose. You may arrange both during one visit, but the booking should explicitly include both, with the appliances and expected records clearly identified.

If the boiler is already failing, tell us the symptoms when booking. A fault investigation, replacement part or return visit may be needed in addition to the inspection or service. Requesting a certificate does not make a leaking or unreliable appliance a routine paperwork job. Share error codes and service history without removing covers to investigate.

Prepare tenant access and appliance information

Confirm the address, flat number, tenant contact and any entry system arrangements. The engineer needs safe access to the relevant appliances, meter and flue routes or inspection points as applicable. Tell us about high-level equipment, locked cupboards or building management restrictions before the appointment.

Provide the previous safety record and appliance details if available. Tenants should know which visit is booked and the expected access arrangements. If access is declined, keep a record of reasonable attempts and follow an appropriate lawful process; do not force entry simply because an inspection is due. Book early enough to address access problems before the deadline.

• List gas appliances and their locations.
• Supply the previous record and known faults.
• Arrange tenant access and a working contact number.
• Identify the landlord or agent who will receive the record and approve work.

If the inspection identifies a problem

The result depends on the installation found. Nobody should promise a clean record before the check. If an unsafe situation is identified, the engineer explains the finding and the action needed. Treat instructions about use or isolation seriously, and do not restore an appliance that has been taken out of service without the required professional work.

A remedial quotation should identify the affected appliance or component and distinguish urgent safety action from wider recommendations. Ask what must happen before it can be used again and what documentation will follow. Keep the original findings and completion records together so the history remains clear for future checks and changes of agent.

Domestic records and commercial gas work

A residential landlord record is not a universal certificate for every building. Commercial kitchens, workplace heating and specialist gas equipment can involve different scopes and competence categories. HSE’s employer guidance deals with workplace gas safety; simply ordering a domestic CP12 is not enough to define a catering or plantroom inspection.

For mixed-use premises, describe the residential and business areas separately. Include the type of equipment and any existing service contract or inspection requirement. We will clarify the requested work before attendance so an engineer is not asked to assess an unspecified commercial installation under a domestic booking.

Arrange a London gas safety check

Send the postcode, number and type of appliances, due date and tenant access details. Say whether you also want a boiler service or assessment of a known fault. That information allows the visit to be scoped and priced around the actual work.

Our service covers all London boroughs and locations inside the M25, with 10 active vans and 24/7 availability. Planned inspection slots and any follow-up repairs are agreed individually. If there is a suspected gas escape, use the emergency procedure below instead of waiting for a routine certificate appointment.

If you smell gas, leave the affected area and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 from a safe place. Avoid flames and electrical switches. Do not investigate gas fittings yourself.