What certificates does a landlord need?

In England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the core landlord certificates are gas safety where gas is supplied, electrical safety, and an EPC; the detail and handover deadlines differ by nation. Northern Ireland adds a Certificate of Fitness for many older lets, and Scotland is the outlier on PAT because its repairing-standard guidance folds landlord-supplied appliance testing into the mandatory electrical inspection.

What certificates does a landlord need to rent out a property?

A landlord normally needs three certificates to rent out a property: a gas safety record if gas is supplied, an electrical safety report, and a valid EPC; England does not require a PAT or portable-appliance certificate for private landlords, while Scotland’s mandatory electrical inspection includes PAT for landlord-supplied appliances. Gas checks are annual across Great Britain and Northern Ireland: the GB regulations require each relevant appliance and flue to be checked “at intervals of not more than 12 months,” and Northern Ireland uses the same twelve-month rule. Electrical rules diverge: England and Northern Ireland use a maximum five-year inspection cycle, Wales requires “a valid electrical condition report” throughout occupation, and Scotland requires inspection before the tenancy starts and at least every five years. EPCs are required before letting; in England and Wales the minimum domestic private-rented EPC is band E, but Northern Ireland requires an EPC without a private-let minimum band. Northern Ireland also requires a council Certificate of Fitness for most pre-1945 rental properties.

Which certificates must a landlord give the tenant, and when?

A new tenant must receive the last gas safety record before they occupy the property; the 28-day gas deadline is for existing tenants after the check, not for a new tenant moving in. The GB gas regulations say the last record must be given to “any new tenant… before that tenant occupies those premises,” and Northern Ireland’s gas regulation uses the same wording, despite guidance that often rounds the rule to 28 days. For existing tenants in England, Wales and Scotland, the gas record must be supplied within 28 days of the check. Electrical handover differs by nation: England requires the report to existing tenants within 28 days of the inspection and test; Northern Ireland requires the most recent electrical report for “any new tenant before they occupy”; Wales gives the contract-holder 14 days from the occupation date; and Scotland requires the tenant to receive the most recent electrical inspection record before the tenancy starts. The EPC must also be given free of charge to the person who becomes the tenant in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Last reviewed September 2026.

Sources

• Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 reg.36 — “at intervals of not more than 12 months” Source
• Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004 reg.36 — “at intervals of not more than twelve months” Source
• Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 reg.3 — “at intervals of no more than 5 years” Source
• Renting Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) (Wales) Regulations 2022 reg.6 — “The landlord must ensure that there is a valid electrical condition report in respect of the dwelling during each period of occupation.” Source
• Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 s.19A — “an inspection has been carried out before the tenancy starts” Source
• Scottish Government repairing standard guidance — “Landlords are required to ensure an electrical safety inspection comprising of periodic inspection and testing (PI & T) of the electrical installation and 'In-service inspection and testing of electrical equipment’ (also known as PAT testing) is carried out by a skilled person(s) competent in such work before the property is let for the first time, and then at intervals of no more than five years.” Source
• Electrical Safety Standards for Private Tenancies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 reg.3 — “at intervals of no more than 5 years” Source
• Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012 reg.9 — “it was entered on the register no more than 10 years before the date on which it is made available” Source
• Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 reg.22 — “minimum level of energy efficiency” means “an energy performance indicator of band E” Source
• Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 reg.5 — “Before a building is made available for sale or rent, the relevant person shall ensure that an energy performance certificate is issued for the building.” Source
• Department for Communities Northern Ireland landlord checklist — “Most properties which were built, or converted for letting, before 1945 will need a Certificate of Fitness if they are to be used as rental properties.” Source
• Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 reg.36 — “any new tenant of premises to which the record relates before that tenant occupies those premises” Source
• Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 reg.36 — “each existing tenant of premises to which the record relates within 28 days of the date of the check” Source
• Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004 reg.36 — “any new tenant of premises to which the record relates before that tenant occupies those premises” Source
• Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 reg.3 — “supply a copy of that report to each existing tenant of the residential premises within 28 days of the inspection and test” Source
• Electrical Safety Standards for Private Tenancies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 reg.3 — “any new tenant before they occupy the dwelling-house” Source
• Renting Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) (Wales) Regulations 2022 reg.6 — “The landlord must ensure that the contract-holder is, before the end of the period of 14 days starting with the occupation date, given” Source
• Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 s.19A — “before the start of the tenancy, provide the tenant with a copy of the record of the most recent inspection carried out” Source
• Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012 reg.6 — “The relevant person must ensure that a valid energy performance certificate has been given free of charge to the person who ultimately becomes the buyer or tenant.” Source
• Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2008 reg.5 — “Where a building or building unit is sold or let the owner must provide a copy of a valid energy performance certificate and of the related recommendations report free of charge to the buyer or tenant.” Source
• Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 reg.5 — “The relevant person shall ensure that a valid energy performance certificate has been given free of charge to the person who ultimately becomes the buyer or tenant.” Source