Winter support

Colchester Borough Council is providing support for residents, businesses and communities throughout winter.

Gas safety, electrical safety, fire safety and carbon monoxide safety


Gas safety

The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 apply to all tenancies.

Landlords are required to:

  • Have an annual gas safety check carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer of the gas installation and all appliances. This will commonly include boilers, gas fires and any kitchen gas appliances, such as ovens and hobs.
  • Keep a record of each safety check.
  • Provide a copy to any new tenant before they move in and to any existing tenant within 28 days.

Further advice can be found on the Gas Safe Register's website.

When we are undertaking any kind of investigative work into a privately rented property, we will request a copy of the latest Gas Safety record. We also require this document to be submitted as part of a valid licence application to operate a House in Multiple Occupation.

All mandatory HMO licences will have a licence condition requiring the submission of this document on request.

This document may also be requested by formal notice.

In addition, The Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006 enable us to require a Gas Safety Record in relation to a House in Multiple Occupation to be submitted within 7 days of a written request.

Where this document is not received, where appropriate, we will refer to the Health and Safety Executive as the enforcing authority for The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998

For more information on our enforcement approach, see our Private Sector Housing Enforcement and Civil Penalties Policy.

Page last reviewed: 23 September 2022