You can get a gas safety check done up to two months before the due date, and the new certificate will still be valid for 12 months from the original due date. For example, if your current certificate expires on December 1st, you can have the check done as early as October 1st. This "MOT-style" flexibility was introduced in 2018 to help landlords with tenant access issues, but it is only available if you can prove the two previous checks were also completed on time.
How the new rule works
- The "deadline date":
This is the expiry date of your current certificate, marking the end of the 12-month period.
- The "MOT-style" window:
You can get the new check done anytime in the two months leading up to the deadline date.
- Retaining the deadline date:
If you take advantage of this flexibility, the new certificate will still be treated as if it was completed on the original deadline date.
- Example:
If your current certificate is due on December 1st, you can get the check done on October 1st. The new certificate will then be valid until the following December 1st.”