Compliance for City of London rental properties
For a City of London rented property, keep the five-year EICR record separate from the annual gas safety record and log when each required document is given to the tenant.
The national requirements summarised here apply in City of London as they do across England. Property circumstances can affect what needs arranging, so landlords remain responsible for checking what applies to their tenancy. Keep track of each property's report dates, tenant paperwork and remedial work.
The two checks landlords must plan
EICR and gas safety are separate records with different renewal cycles. Arrange both where the rented property has the relevant installation or landlord-provided appliances.
EICR: at least every five years
A qualified person must inspect and test the electrical installation at least every five years. A new tenant must receive the report before occupying. An existing tenant receives it within 28 days, a prospective tenant within 28 days of a request, and the council within 7 days of a request.
C1, C2 or FI makes the report unsatisfactory. Remedial or further investigative work must be completed within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so. Written confirmation follows within 28 days of completion. C3 is advisory only.
A breach can lead to a penalty of up to £40,000. This figure and the duties were last checked 12 September 2026; see the GOV.UK guidance.
Gas safety: every 12 months
A Gas Safe registered engineer must safety check every landlord-provided gas appliance and flue every 12 months. Give the record to an existing tenant within 28 days and to a new tenant before they move in. Keep records for at least two years.
The check can be done up to two months early while keeping the original anniversary date. A safety check is not a service: maintenance is a separate duty, and the HSE says not to assume one covers the other.
Breaches can mean a substantial fine and/or a custodial sentence. These duties were last checked 12 September 2026; see HSE landlord guidance.
What happens during the inspections
Tell the tenant what to expect and make sure the engineer can reach the relevant equipment. The exact work depends on the property and its installation.
During an EICR
- 1. Access. The qualified person needs access to the consumer unit, circuits and electrical accessories.
- 2. Inspection and tests. The fixed installation is inspected and tested, with observations recorded against the relevant code.
- 3. Report. You receive the findings and can see whether any C1, C2 or FI work is needed.
During a gas safety check
- 1. Appliance list. The Gas Safe registered engineer checks every landlord-provided gas appliance and flue.
- 2. Safety assessment. The landlord-provided gas appliances and flues are checked.
- 3. Record. The findings are recorded in the Landlord Gas Safety Record.
Practical preparation and safe next steps
- Check the last EICR and gas record, note each renewal date, and use the early gas-check window if it helps preserve the anniversary date.
- Arrange access to the consumer unit, rooms, gas appliances and flues. Tell the tenant that electrical testing can involve interruptions to the power.
- Give the tenant the completed records within the required deadlines. Keep gas records for at least two years and keep EICR remedial confirmations with the property file.
- If an EICR has C1, C2 or FI observations, use the report's deadline and arrange remedial or further investigative work. Do not treat a C3 advisory observation as a legal fail.
- For gas work, confirm that the attending engineer is Gas Safe registered. Hem is not Gas Safe registered; gas work is carried out by Gas Safe registered engineers Hem works with.
Landlord compliance questions
How often does a rented home in City of London need an EICR?
The electrical installation must be inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every five years. Check the report as well: it may require an earlier inspection. Give a valid report to a new tenant before they occupy the home.
Legal position last checked 12 September 2026; confirm your own obligations using the source links below.
What if the EICR is unsatisfactory?
C1, C2 and FI observations make the report unsatisfactory. Remedial or further investigative work must be completed within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so. C3 is advisory only. After the work, written confirmation must be sent to the tenant and the council within 28 days of completion.
Legal position last checked 12 September 2026; confirm your own obligations using the source links below.
How often is a landlord gas safety check needed?
Every 12 months, for each gas appliance and flue that the landlord provides, with the check carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The record goes to an existing tenant within 28 days and to a new tenant before they move in.
Legal position last checked 12 September 2026; confirm your own obligations using the source links below.
Can I arrange a gas check before its due date?
Yes. The annual gas safety check can be done up to two months early while keeping the original anniversary date. Keep gas safety records for at least two years.
Legal position last checked 12 September 2026; confirm your own obligations using the source links below.
Is a gas safety check the same as a service?
No. A safety check and maintenance are separate duties. The HSE says not to assume that a service covers the safety check, or that the safety check covers maintenance.
Legal position last checked 12 September 2026; confirm your own obligations using the source links below.
The EICR duties on this page are based on GOV.UK electrical safety guidance. The gas duties are based on HSE guidance for landlords. The legal information was last checked 12 September 2026. It is a practical summary, not legal advice. National England requirements apply equally in every borough, and landlords remain responsible for confirming their own obligations.