Expired Gas Safety Certificate? What Landlords in England Should Do in 2026

Published: April 2026 · Last reviewed: 15 September 2026 · Reading time: 12 minutes

If a gas safety record has expired, arrange a new inspection promptly and keep a clear record of every step taken.

What the law requires

Landlords must arrange checks by a Gas Safe registered engineer at intervals of no more than 12 months and give tenants a copy of the record.

What to do when a certificate expires

1. Contact a Gas Safe registered engineer and book the earliest reasonable appointment.
2. Tell tenants why access is needed and offer reasonable appointment options.
3. Keep dated copies of messages, booking confirmations, attendance attempts and completed records.
4. Provide the new record to tenants and review the rest of the property's compliance file.

If a tenant refuses access

Do not force entry. Continue making reasonable, documented attempts and obtain legal advice where necessary.

Record keeping matters

Retain certificates and evidence of your efforts. A complete chronology can be important to regulators, insurers and courts.

Preventing another missed renewal

Record the next due date and use reminders well before expiry. Portfolio landlords should keep all properties in a central tracking system.

This guide is general information and does not constitute legal advice.