The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (SI 1998/2451) are a set of United Kingdom statutory instruments that regulate the installation, maintenance and use of gas systems, gas fittings and gas appliances using natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The regulations are made under powers contained within the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and are enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
The regulations place legal duties on a wide range of persons, including employers, self-employed gas engineers, landlords and occupiers of premises, to ensure that gas installations and appliances are installed and maintained safely so as to prevent injury, loss of life and damage to property arising from gas leaks, fire, explosion or carbon monoxide poisoning.
Although the term "landlordâÂÂs gas safety certificate" is widely used, it does not appear in the legislation itself. The regulations instead require landlords to ensure that a gas safety check is carried out at intervals of no more than 12 months and that a written record of that check is made and retained. A copy of this record must be provided to existing tenants within 28 days of the check, and to new tenants before they occupy the premises.
Key provisions of the regulations with which the public is most familiar include:
Practical guidance on compliance with the regulations is provided by the Health and Safety Executive in its Approved Code of Practice and guidance document, Safety in the installation and use of gas systems and appliances (L56), which explains how dutyholders can meet their legal obligations under the regulations.