Landlord gas certificates are of course a legal obligation. But there are many other reasons to get a landlord gas certificate from a reputable engineer.
A certificate proves you had an expert come in and certify gas safety. If you’re looking to arrange a landlord gas certificate for a property in London, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team covers North London, East London, South East London, South West London and West London.
The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1998 established the rules for the safety of installations and appliances in the UK. The regulations apply to all installations. They require an annual gas safety certificate by a competent person and there are no exceptions made.
What is a gas safety certificate?
A gas safety certificate confirms that the system, and any connected appliances are working at the right operating pressure. It will also state that the appliances are burning correctly because there is adequate air supply.
With this in mind, a basic gas safe inspection does not include pipework and vents, although these should ideally be inspected at the same time.
The other side confirms the scope of work they are qualified to do, including whether they have the authority to issue a gas safety certificate in London.
Landlord gas safety certificate law in London
A landlord has a general duty to ensure the property they rent out is fit for purpose. This includes ensuring their property is gas safety checked annually.
The law extends the definition of the tenant to any person occupying a property under a contract. Hence it even applies to domestic staff with a right to sleepover.
A landlord, and any other person has a common law duty to take reasonable care not to cause harm to another. Hence a rented property must be safe and in good working order.
This principle kicks in whenever a person undertakes an activity which could reasonably harm someone else either physically, mentally or economically.
This burden of duty extends to taking reasonable steps to ensure a gas installation on a tenanted property is safe. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations of 1998 prescribe a valid gas safety certificate as the bare minimum.
Therefore not having this certificate when something goes wrong with the gas makes a compelling argument the landlord was negligent.
UK law is very clear on what happens next. If the affected tenant can prove the landlord failed in their duty to care, or breached their obligations under the regulations then they could be fully entitled to sue for all their damages.
Having a valid gas safety certificate may provide a sufficient defence all things being equal.