Can tenants remain at home during a landlord gas check?
Yes. Tenants can remain at home during a landlord gas check, provided the engineer can access the boiler, gas appliances, flue and controls safely. They should keep the appointment area clear and tell us about any access restrictions when the visit is arranged.
A tenant does not normally need to leave during an annual gas safety check. You can stay in the property while the engineer examines the appliances and flues, as long as you allow safe access and follow any instructions given during the visit.
The check usually involves the boiler and any other gas appliances covered by the landlord’s records. The engineer may also need to inspect visible flue routes, ventilation and the gas meter or emergency control valve. Keep cupboards, utility areas and rooms containing gas appliances accessible before the appointment. If furniture, stored items or personal belongings block an appliance or flue, the engineer may not be able to complete the inspection.
You can remain in another room while the work takes place. The engineer may ask you to move away from an appliance, keep a door open or avoid using a particular area temporarily. This gives them space to carry out safety tests without interruption. Do not use the boiler, cooker, fire or other gas appliance while it is being checked unless the engineer says it is safe to do so.
Children and pets should stay away from the working area. This is particularly important where the engineer needs to remove an appliance cover, test combustion or work near hot surfaces. You do not usually need to supervise the engineer, but someone must provide access to every relevant room and answer questions about reported faults or changes to the property.
The engineer may need to turn an appliance off briefly during testing. That does not necessarily mean there is a fault. If a safety problem is found, they will explain what they have identified and what needs to happen next. In serious cases, they may disconnect or label an unsafe appliance so it cannot be used until it has been repaired.
Before letting anyone into the property, you can ask for identification and check that the engineer is Gas Safe registered. Gas work must be carried out by someone legally qualified for the appliance involved. We record the appliances tested, the results and any safety actions on the landlord’s gas safety record.
The landlord must provide the completed gas safety record to the tenant within the required timescale after the check. Keep it with your tenancy documents, particularly if the engineer has recommended a repair or recorded a limitation on the inspection.
If you cannot be at home, tell the landlord or managing agent before the appointment and arrange another way to provide access. Do not assume that an engineer can complete the check by inspecting only the boiler. Missing appliances or inaccessible flues can leave the landlord without a complete record and may require a further visit.
The annual check covers the gas appliances and flues the landlord provides. It does not automatically cover an appliance a tenant has brought into the property. Tell the landlord or engineer about any additional gas appliance before testing begins, so they can explain what falls within the inspection.
Use the visit to mention practical concerns, such as unusual smells, repeated boiler shutdowns or changes to ventilation. The engineer can record relevant information alongside the safety checks, while the landlord can arrange separate repair work if needed.