Agents and landlords with responsibilities to ensure gas checks are carried out in private rental properties may have more flexibility over timings in future.

Changes to the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (GSIUR) do not relax or reduce the safety standards but allow great flexibility over when the MOT-style regular checks are conducted. 

In future agents and landlords can carry out the annual gas safety check in the two months before the due date and retain the existing expiry date. 

The Health & Safety Executive says this avoids agents and landlords waiting until the last minute and not gaining access, or having to shorten the annual cycle check to comply with the law. 

There is no change to the legal requirement for an annual gas safety check or for maintenance to be carried out.

The current legislation will continue to apply up to and including April 5 2018 but the more flexible approach begins after that date. 

The Residential Landlords Association has welcomed the change.