Plumbing and Heating Regulations for Landlords in Surrey

Annual gas safety check (mandatory)

Every rental property with gas appliances must have an annual gas safety check carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. You must:

• Have the check done every 12 months
• Give a copy of the certificate (CP12) to existing tenants within 28 days
• Give a copy to new tenants before they move in
• Keep records of the last two years of certificates

Failure to comply can result in fines of up to £6,000 or imprisonment.

Heating and hot water obligations

Under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 and the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, you must provide:

• A working heating system capable of heating the property adequately
• A supply of hot water
• Plumbing and drainage in proper working order

If a tenant reports a heating or hot water failure, you must arrange repairs within a reasonable timeframe - typically 24-48 hours for heating in winter.

Minimum energy efficiency standards

Since April 2020, rental properties must have an EPC rating of E or above. You cannot legally let a property rated F or G unless you have a valid exemption. Upgrading an old boiler is one of the most effective ways to improve your EPC rating.

Legionella risk assessment

Landlords must carry out a Legionella risk assessment before letting a property. This is particularly relevant if the property has a hot water cylinder, stored cold water tank, or complex pipework. The water should be stored at 60°C or above and delivered at the taps above 50°C.

What we offer landlords

We provide annual gas safety checks, boiler servicing, and emergency repairs for landlords across Surrey, Hampshire, and London. We can also advise on boiler upgrades to improve your EPC rating and reduce tenant complaints. Call us on 01932 943 009 to discuss a landlord service package.