Gas Safety Certificates in Rochester

Landlord Gas Safety Obligations in Rochester

If you let a property in Rochester, the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 require you to have all gas appliances, flues, and pipework inspected by a Gas Safe registered engineer every 12 months. The gas safety record — the CP12 certificate — must be given to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection and to new tenants before they move in.

This obligation applies to every type of tenancy, including assured shorthold tenancies, licences to occupy, and HMOs. It covers all gas appliances provided by the landlord, including boilers, gas fires, gas cookers, and gas water heaters. If a tenant brings their own gas appliance, you are not responsible for that specific appliance, but you are still responsible for the gas pipework and any appliances you own.

Our gas safety inspection in Rochester covers:

• All gas appliances — boilers, gas fires, gas hobs, gas ovens, and water heaters
• Flue testing — checking that products of combustion vent safely to the outside and that flue integrity is maintained
• Ventilation checks — confirming adequate air supply to rooms containing gas appliances
• Pipework inspection — visual examination of gas pipework for leaks, corrosion, and compliance
• Operating pressure and gas rate checks — verifying appliances operate within safe parameters
• CP12 issued immediately — your gas safety record is completed and provided at the end of the inspection

Gas Safety Considerations for Rochester Properties

Rochester's older properties present specific gas safety considerations that our engineers are experienced in dealing with.

The period properties around Rochester High Street, the Esplanade, and Minor Canon Row frequently contain gas appliances that have been in situ for many years. Older gas fires in particular can develop problems with their flue integrity over time, especially in properties where the chimney liner has deteriorated or was never installed correctly. Our inspection includes a thorough flue test to ensure combustion products are not leaking into the living space.

Converted properties are common in Rochester — large Victorian and Georgian townhouses that have been divided into flats. These conversions sometimes involve shared flues or gas infrastructure that serves multiple dwellings, which adds complexity to the inspection. Each dwelling must have its own gas safety certificate, and the common parts of the gas supply are the responsibility of the building owner or freeholder.

The flats and newer housing in Rochester typically have a single combi boiler as the only gas appliance. While these are simpler to inspect, the safety check is no less important. Flue terminals on modern boilers can become obstructed by nesting birds, plant growth, or building works, which can cause dangerous carbon monoxide to enter the property.

Rochester landlords who own properties in the conservation area should also be aware that any work required following a failed gas safety inspection — such as repositioning a flue terminal — may require planning or conservation area consent. We can advise on the practicalities if this situation arises.