Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 is set out from the legal framework for gas regulation. Regulation 36, landlords are determined to have 2 main duties:

(1) To ensure gas fittings and flues are maintained and in a safe condition.
(2) To ensure an annual safety check is carried out on each gas appliance/flue.

The Regulations state that ‘Although related, the duties to have fittings maintained and safety checked are separate and distinct from each other.’

Regulations specify the gas safety matters to be covered. It should NOT, therefore, be assumed that an annual service inspection (required at point 1 above) meets the safety check requirement (point 2), or vice-versa that a safety check on its own will be sufficient to provide effective maintenance.

Gas safety check requirements each year are widely known and accepted, although most companies and gas engineers adopt the approach whilst that a gas safety check is mandatory, a maintenance service is an option. Failing to help landlords meet their legal responsibilities under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.

A maintenance service carried out at the same time as a gas safety check is a more cost-effective and a responsible way not only to fulfil legal duties but to keep equipment well-maintained, which helps to prolong its life expectancy.