Under Section 36 of the Gas Safety Installation and Use regulations 1998, all landlords must and are legally required to carry out a gas safety check by a recognised registered gas safety engineer each year and this should include:
Repair and maintain gas pipework, flues and appliances in a safe condition.
Ensure an annual gas safety check on each appliance and flue.
Keep a record of each safety check.
After a full inspection, the gas safety engineer should provide the tenant with a copy of the gas safety record to comply with the regulations.
A copy of the Gas Safety Record must be given to both the tenant and the landlord at the start of the tenancy and within 28 days of the annual check. The landlord is also under obligation to keep his copy of the Gas Safety Record for 2 years.
A minimum Gas Safety Record check must contain:
A description of and the location of each appliance or flue checked.
The name, registration number and signature of the individual carrying out the check.
The date on which the appliance or flue was checked.
The address of the property at which the appliance or flue is installed.
The name and address of the landlord (or their agent where appropriate).
Any safety-related defect identified, and any remedial action taken.
Confirmation that the safety check has included an examination of the matters referred to in paragraphs (a) to (d) of: Regulation 26(9) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
Section 36 of the Gas Safety installation and use regulation 1998 does not specify a specific type of form to be use by the engineer to record details for a Gas Safety Record inspection. They can use their own record providing that they list all information listed below. The form could have these additional lines:
The address of the premises at which the appliance or flue is installed.
The Gas Safety Record.
Any defect identified.
Any remedial action taken.
Confirmation that the checks undertaken comply with the requirements as stated below:
The effectiveness of any flue.
The supply of combustion air.
The operating pressure or heat input, or where necessary both.
The name and signature of the individual carrying out the check and the registration number with which that individual, or his employer, is registered with the Gas Safe Register.
