Calls for Upgraded Gas Safety Checks in Rented Properties

Two industry bodies, the Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) and the Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA), are urging the government to enhance mandatory gas safety checks for rental properties.

Proposed Upgrade

• Current Checks: Annual inspections cover gas appliances like boilers and ovens.
• Proposed Enhancement: Include a full service of heating appliances and an efficiency check of the heating system.

Key Benefits

• Better Maintenance: Identifies wear and tear early, allowing landlords to plan replacements—similar to a car MOT.
• Improved Efficiency: Ensures heating systems run optimally, reducing energy bills for tenants.
• EPC Compliance: Aligns with government targets to improve Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings (C by 2028 for new tenancies, all rentals by 2030).

Industry Support

• Stewart Clements, HHIC: Upgrading checks would help landlords maintain appliances and improve system efficiency.
• Mike Foster, EUA: Enhanced servicing could save tenants hundreds of pounds and provide landlords with greater financial certainty.

Both bodies support mandatory annual servicing of heating appliances, with upgrading gas safety checks as a practical first step.