Gas Safe Building Compliance Regulations Certificate: What Landlords Need to Know in 2023

What Is a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate?

Building Regulations are formulated to help ensure the safety of the tenants that choose to live in a property.

These regulations also account for any new heat-producing appliances that are installed. When these installations are performed in England and Wales, local authorities must be informed.

Once they are notified, they can issue a Gas Safe Building Regulations Compliance Certificate that proves that the installation doesn’t pose any safety threats to tenants.

A copy of the valid gas safety certificate must be given to the tenant within 28 days.

As a landlord, you must ensure that the Building Regulations, as outlined in the Building Regulations Guide, are adhered to for any properties you own and that the gas safe-registered engineer notifies the installation.

If you work as a gas installer, it is a legal requirement to notify or register the installation of heat-producing gas appliances and heating and hot water systems with your local authority.

In the case of gas, this can only be done through the Gas Safe Register or one of its third-party partners with an agreement with the Register.

What Falls under Building Regulations?

Building Regulations are standards of safety that deal with the technical and construction details applicable to all buildings in the UK to ensure that they are safe to live in.

The Building Regulations are composed of Approved Documents covering the construction's technical aspects.

These include:

Gas installations must comply with GSIUR (Gas Safety Installation and Use Regulations) as well as a broader set of regulations, including notifying the relevant people about the installation of heat-producing appliances.

Technical compliance is met by ensuring that your gas work meets the guidelines outlined in the technical guidance documents that support the Building Regulations.

What is included in an annual gas safety check?

The Gas Safe Register assesses compliance with the technical documents during work inspections.

The Register is a list of approved gas engineers with the necessary skills and qualifications to work on gas appliances.

In addition to the gas boiler installation being safe and complying with GSIUR, the new heating system must also satisfy the design and energy efficiency standards specified in the Building Services Compliance guide.

The following may also be assessed during a gas safety check:

• Appliances are working at the correct pressure.
• Appliances are burning gas properly.
• Any installations have been done in a safe and suitable way for their location in the building.
• Flues and chimneys are clear of blockages to enable the safe discharge of gases and fumes.
• Adequate air supply to all appliances.
• Ensure that there are no carbon monoxide leaks.

If the Gas Safe Register finds that the work does not fully meet the requirements, the gas engineer will be asked to upgrade the work to satisfy the requirements.

The local authority may prosecute those whose work does not comply with the Building Regulations.

Those in contravention may receive a hefty fine, and prosecution can take place for up to two years after the work has been completed.

What Are the Gas Safety Installation and Use Regulations (GSIUR)?

Each year people suffer from ill health or die from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by gas appliances and flues which were not properly installed or maintained.

The GSIUR deals with installing and maintaining gas appliances (including flues and fittings) in domestic premises. Amendments to the GSIUR came into force in April 2018.

These regulations stipulate the obligation of UK landlords to ensure that gas appliances and fittings are safe for the tenants to use.

They also apply to anyone who intends to install, service, maintain, or repair gas appliances and other gas fittings.

The replacement, installation, or maintenance of a heating system must be notified to Building Control. This rule also applies to any alteration to an existing system.

If an existing gas appliance, like a boiler, is moved to another location on the property, Building Control must be notified.

As a landlord, you are required to:

• Ensure that all gas fittings and flues are maintained in a safe condition and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Ensure gas appliance checks have been carried out annually, as the certificate is only valid for one year.
• Keep a record of the gas safety checks.
• Issue a copy of the last gas safety record to existing tenants within 28 days after the checks have taken place.

Work That Requires Notification

Gas engineers know that gas installations must comply with GSIUR for safety reasons.

Over and above that, certain installations must also comply with a broader set of requirements, including notifying the installation of heat-producing appliances in England and Wales.

Technical compliance is achieved by ensuring that your gas work complies with the guidance outlined in the technical guidance documents that support the Building Regulations.

If you have a gas appliance installed at your property, it must be accompanied by a valid installation certificate.

This certificate also serves as the  ‘Building Regulations Compliance Certificate’ and is registered on the Gas Safety Register.

The certificate allows them to easily inform the local authority that the installation complies with all the prescribed building regulations.

Gas Work That Requires Notification in England and Wales

The following gas installations require notification:

• Gas-fired condensing boiler
• Gas-fired non-condensing boiler
• Flue gas heat recovery device with a domestic gas condensing boiler
• Gas-fired radiant heating system
• Gas-fired water heater
• Gas-fired warm air heating system
• Flue gas cooking range/hot water boiler

Adding to an existing heating system that alters the boiler's performance, such as re-setting the boiler input or output, also requires notification.

Under the Building Regulations, the relevant local authority should be notified within a period of 30 days after the completed work.

A third-party agent, such as the manufacturer, can also notify the local authority. After the manufacturer submits the information that must be checked by the Gas Safe Register, the gas safety certificate will be provided to the homeowner.

The Gas Safe Register notifies the appropriate Local Authority Building Control department.

For Scotland, the requirements are different and can be found on the government website for Scotland.

What Work Does Not Require Notification?

You do not need to apply for approval if the work isn’t covered by building regulations, or if it’s carried out by someone who is registered with a competent person scheme.

You do not need Building Regulations approval for projects such as:

• Repairs, replacements, and maintenance work (except oil tanks, fuse boxes, heating systems and glazing units).
• New power and lighting points or changes to existing circuits.
• Replacements of baths, toilets, basins, and sinks.
• Even if formal approval is not required, it is incumbent upon the landlord or homeowner to meet safety and energy efficiency standards.

How to Obtain a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate

It is easy and inexpensive to apply for your Building Regulations Compliance Certificate.

After the Gas Safe-registered engineer approves the installation and informs the relevant local authority, the homeowner will receive the Building Regulations Compliance Certificate in the post within 10-15 working days.

The Gas Safe Register has a team of inspectors who ensure that gas installations or other work carried out on gas appliances are competent and safe. Notification costs £2.20 per notification plus VAT online, or £3.50 plus VAT by phone.

You may notify up to six items per address in one transaction. The Gas Safe Register can be contacted in any of the following ways:

If you require a duplicate Building Regulations Compliance Certificate, you can obtain this by contacting the Gas Safe Register online or calling 0800 408 5500 and choosing option 1.

There is a charge of £6.12, including VAT, for duplicate certificates. The gas safety certificate cost can vary depending on several factors, including:

• How many appliances you have on your property.
• Where you live in the country.
• How many properties you need to have inspected.

What is a landlord gas safety record?

In addition to the Building Regulations Certificate, landlords will also be issued with their own copy that proves their property complies with gas safety regulations. 

It contains the following information:

• Details of the landlord or letting agency
• The property address
• Details of the engineer who completed the gas safety inspection
• The date of the inspection
• Which appliances and pipework were tested, and where they are located
• Any safety issues identified by the Register
• The results of the gas safety checks
• Any remedial work required

You can also use online management tools like EVO to obtain relevant gas safety certificates.

EVO will provide you with a qualified, vetted engineer when using our compliance add-on. They will be able to issue an official landlord gas safety certificate.

EVO also provides landlords with the peace of mind that their properties are compliant with gas safety and other building regulations.

Take Care of Your Tenants’ Safety with Evo

It can feel like a daunting task to manage the safety of your properties, no matter how big or small.

That’s where digital management solutions like EVO come in. 

Not only is our platform user friendly and easily accessible, but it also connects you with certified professionals for any property-related needs you may have.

Get in touch with one of our friendly helpdesk members to find out how you can take the hassle out of property management today.