Landlord Gas Safety Checks in Surbiton

What a Gas Safety Check Covers

The engineer inspects every gas appliance in the property that the landlord has provided, including the boiler, any gas fire, gas cooker or hob, and checks pipework, flues and ventilation associated with each. This includes testing the appliance's safety devices, checking gas pressure, and confirming the appliance is burning correctly rather than producing excess carbon monoxide.

Appliances that are unsafe are identified clearly, and where something needs to be isolated or condemned for safety reasons, the engineer will explain this and, where possible, advise on next steps for repair or replacement before continuing the tenancy safely.

Timing and Renewal

The certificate is valid for twelve months, and the next check should ideally be carried out in the ten to twelve month window after the previous one so that there is no gap in coverage even if a check runs slightly early or late in any given year. Many Surbiton landlords choose to align this with an annual boiler service to reduce the number of separate visits and disruption to tenants.

If you manage several rental properties in the area, it is worth keeping a simple record of certificate expiry dates so that renewals can be scheduled in good time, particularly around busy periods such as the start of the school year when tenant turnover in family lets tends to increase.

Arranging Access with Tenants

Under most tenancy agreements, landlords are entitled to reasonable access for safety inspections, but at least 24 hours' notice is generally expected unless there is an emergency. We are happy to liaise directly with tenants to arrange a mutually convenient appointment time once instructed by the landlord or managing agent.

If a tenant repeatedly refuses access, this should be documented, since landlords are expected to demonstrate that reasonable steps were taken to arrange the check even if it could not ultimately be completed on time.

Combining the Check with a Boiler Service

Because the engineer is already on site inspecting the boiler for gas safety purposes, it is efficient to combine this with a full service in the same visit, which also helps identify wear and tear that would not necessarily show up on a pass or fail safety check alone. This is particularly worthwhile for older boilers in Surbiton's many Victorian and Edwardian conversions.

A combined visit also means only one appointment to arrange with the tenant, rather than two separate ones a few weeks apart, which most landlords and tenants both prefer.

Costs for Landlords

A standalone Gas Safety Certificate is £99 + VAT, covering up to two appliances, with £40 + VAT for each additional appliance such as a separate gas fire or cooker. A combined service and certificate visit is £160 + VAT during weekday hours.

If any remedial work is needed following the check, this is charged at our standard hourly rates of £99 + VAT on weekdays, £120 + VAT in the evening, and £185 + VAT overnight or on Sundays and bank holidays, with a one-hour minimum and materials at a 20% mark-up.

Booking Your Landlord Check

We are Gas Safe registered under number 968274 and can provide certificates for single properties or coordinate a rolling schedule across a portfolio of rentals in Surbiton and the wider KT postcode area. Call 020 3727 2578 or email info@wdigroupltd.co.uk to discuss your requirements.