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Building compliance quick check

Fast compliance verification for experienced property managers. Checklist format covering electrical, gas, water, HVAC, lifts, and energy performance requirements.

Running Updated 2 November 2026

Is your building compliant?

This quick check covers the six core compliance areas for business premises. Work through each checklist to verify your current compliance status.

This is for experienced property managers who understand the regulations and need a rapid YES/NO verification before audits or lease renewals.

Electrical safety

Fixed installation compliance under Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.

Inspection intervals

Commercial premises require periodic inspection and testing.

Legal requirement

No statutory inspection intervals - systems must be maintained to prevent danger

Commercial premises

Every 5 years (IET Wiring Regulations guidance)

Industrial premises

Every 3 years (IET Wiring Regulations guidance)

Swimming pools, construction sites

Every 1 year (IET Wiring Regulations guidance)

Certificate

Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)

Performed by

Competent electrician

Fixed electrical installation inspected within required interval (typically 5 years commercial, 1 year high-risk) Valid Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) held on file All C1 (danger) and C2 (potentially dangerous) faults from last inspection remediated Portable electrical equipment maintained in a safe condition, with inspection and testing at intervals that suit the equipment and where it is used Emergency lighting tested monthly (function) and annually (full duration)

Electrical safety compliance guide

Full requirements for fixed installations, PAT testing, and emergency lighting
Gas safety

Keeping gas appliances, pipework and flues safe under regulation 35 of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.

Annual gas safety checks

Only Gas Safe registered engineers may work on gas appliances and flues, and HSE treats an annual inspection as a reasonable minimum.

Check frequency

Every 12 months for each appliance and flue

Who must arrange

The landlord of residential accommodation let or licensed for payment

Engineer

Gas Safe registered

Record retention

Until two further checks have been made (2 years from the last check if the appliance is removed)

Copy for existing tenants

Within 28 days of the check

Before a new lease

Check done in the 12 months before it starts

The duty covers gas appliances, installation pipework and flues that the landlord provides for people living in the premises under a lease or licence in return for rent or other payment. It applies to private landlords, housing associations, local authorities, hotels and bed and breakfasts (for any appliance serving guest accommodation, even if it is sited away from the guest rooms), colleges, boarding schools and hostels. It does not cover an appliance used only in a part of the premises occupied for non-residential purposes.

The check must cover each appliance and flue, including boilers, fires, cookers and water heaters that you provide, and the installation pipework. A Gas Safe registered engineer must carry out the check.

The record must show the date of the check, the address, the landlord's name and address, each appliance and flue checked and where it is, any safety defect found, any action taken, and the engineer's name, signature and registration number. Keep it until two further checks have been made. If the appliance is removed from the premises, keep it for 2 years from the last check.

A landlord who rents out a room in their own home, or a flat above a shop, still has the duty for the residential part. The original landlord stays responsible where a tenant sublets, unless the contract clearly allocates the check.

Gas safety checks (opens in a new tab)

All gas appliances inspected by a Gas Safe registered engineer at least once a year (HSE's reasonable minimum) If you let the premises: a record of each appliance's safety check, kept until two further checks have been made Flues and ventilation inspected and confirmed safe Gas pipework inspected for leaks and corrosion Carbon monoxide detectors installed in rooms with gas appliances (if staff or public access) (optional)

Gas safety compliance guide

Annual inspection requirements, Gas Safe registration, and CP12 certificates
Air conditioning and F-gas

HVAC systems over 12kW and equipment containing fluorinated gases.

F-gas leak check intervals

Equipment containing F-gases requires periodic leak checking based on refrigerant charge.

Below 5 tCO2e charge

No mandatory leak checks (good practice to check periodically)

5 to 50 tCO2e charge

Check every 12 months (or every 24 months if automatic leak detection system fitted)

50 to 500 tCO2e charge

Check every 6 months (or every 12 months with automatic leak detection)

500 tCO2e charge and above

Check every 3 months AND permanent automatic leak detection system required

CO2 equivalent calculation

CO2 equivalent (tCO2e) equals quantity of F-gas in kilograms multiplied by the GWP of the gas

Who can carry out checks

Certified F-gas engineer holding both individual and company certification

Record retention period

Records must be kept for at least 5 years

Required record contents

Quantity and type of F-gas, date of check, results, any leaks found and repaired

Responsibility for compliance

Operator (building owner or occupier) is responsible for ensuring checks are carried out on time

Leak repair requirement

Leak found must be repaired without undue delay; follow-up check within 1 month of repair

Enforcement authority

Environment Agency (England), Natural Resources Wales, SEPA (Scotland), NIEA (Northern Ireland)

Penalty for non-compliance

Unlimited fine on conviction

Fluorinated gases (F-gases) guidance (GOV.UK) (opens in a new tab)

Air conditioning systems over 12kW inspected within last 5 years (TM44 inspection) F-gas equipment leak checked at required intervals (quarterly for large systems) F-gas logbook maintained with leak check records and refrigerant top-ups Installation, maintenance, and servicing carried out by F-gas certified engineers Annual F-gas data reported to Environment Agency (if over 500 tCO2e) (optional)

Air conditioning and F-gas compliance

TM44 inspections, F-gas leak checking, logbook requirements, and certification
Water systems and legionella
Legionella control under Health and Safety at Work Act and ACOP L8.
Legionella risk assessment

Water systems in business premises require risk assessment and control measures.
Risk assessment

Required for the water systems you control, in proportion to the risk

Written record

Required if you have 5 or more employees

Review

Periodically and when something changes; no fixed interval

Hot water

Stored at 60C or above; 50C within one minute at outlets

Cold water

Below 20C where possible

Little-used outlets

Use or flush at least weekly

Legionella bacteria can grow in water systems between 20 and 45C, especially where water is stored or recirculated and there is rust, scale or sludge to feed on. If you are an employer or a landlord, you must:

identify and assess the sources of legionella risk in your water systems

where you find a risk you cannot prevent, put controls in place and set out how they will be managed and checked

appoint someone competent to manage the risk, which can be you

keep records of the checks you make

You must write down the significant findings of the assessment if you are an employer with 5 or more employees. Otherwise you are not required to, though a record is wise.

For a small system with domestic-type water use, a simple assessment is enough. A typical low-risk example has daily use that turns over the whole system, a wholesome mains cold supply with no storage tank, and hot water from instantaneous or low-volume heaters. Temperature control is the most reliable measure: keep hot water hot, cold water cold and keep it moving. Most landlords can carry out the assessment themselves, and the law does not require a legionella test certificate for domestic-type systems.

Larger or higher-risk systems, such as cooling towers, evaporative condensers, spa pools and other systems that create water droplets, need a more detailed assessment and management.

Legionella and landlords (opens in a new tab)

Legionnaires’ disease: technical guidance, part 2 (HSE HSG274) (opens in a new tab)

Legionnaires’ disease: a brief guide for dutyholders (HSE INDG458) (opens in a new tab)
Legionella risk assessment in place and reviewed regularly, and whenever the water system or building use changes Hot water stored at 60°C and distributed at 50°C minimum Cold water stored below 20°C Weekly temperature checks recorded for sentinel outlets Monthly flushing of infrequently used outlets (showers, taps) Quarterly or annual tank inspection and descaling (as per risk assessment) Cooling towers registered with local authority and treated/tested monthly (optional)

Water systems and legionella compliance

Risk assessment, temperature control, testing regime, and record keeping
Passenger lifts and lifting equipment

Thorough examination under LOLER 1998.

LOLER examination intervals

Passenger lifts require thorough examination every 6 months.

Equipment for lifting persons

Every 6 months

Lifting accessories (slings, chains, shackles)

Every 6 months

All other lifting equipment

Every 12 months

After exceptional circumstances

Before next use (damage, prolonged non-use, major modification)

New equipment

Before first use if safety depends on installation

Passenger lifts examined by competent person within last 6 months Written report of the last thorough examination held, from the competent person who carried it out Defects from last examination rectified within specified timeframes Lift maintenance contract in place with qualified engineer Emergency alarm and two-way communication tested and functional Lift insurance current (if required by lease/mortgage) (optional)

Passenger lift compliance guide

LOLER requirements, thorough examination, maintenance contracts, and safety systems
Energy performance and building envelope
EPC and Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) for non-domestic properties.

EPC requirements

Commercial properties must meet minimum EPC rating E to let or sell.

A valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is required when a commercial building in England or Wales is sold, let, or newly constructed. Since April 2023, all existing commercial lettings must meet the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) of at least an E rating.

EPC validity

10 years

Minimum EPC rating for commercial lettings

E rating (since 1 April 2023 for all existing lettings)

Penalty for non-compliance (under 3 months)

10% of rateable value (minimum £5,000, maximum £50,000)

Penalty for non-compliance (3 months or more)

20% of rateable value (minimum £10,000, maximum £150,000)

Seven-year payback test

Improvements qualify where they achieve a simple payback of 7 years or less

PRS Exemptions Register

Any exemption must be registered on the PRS Exemptions Register and is valid for 5 years

Display Energy Certificate (DEC) - buildings over 1,000m²

Valid for 1 year, must be updated annually; required for public buildings

Display Energy Certificate (DEC) - buildings 250-1,000m²

Valid for 10 years; required for public buildings

Advisory report accompanying DEC

Valid for 7 years

Air conditioning inspection

Inspection report required for air conditioning systems over 12kW effective output

Exempt buildings

Listed buildings (where compliance would unacceptably alter character), temporary buildings (under 2 years), places of worship, certain industrial sites, and some agricultural buildings

EPC required when

A commercial building is sold, let, or newly constructed

The MEES obligation applies to landlords of non-domestic private rented property in England and Wales. Where a property has an EPC rating below E, the landlord must make relevant energy efficiency improvements that achieve a simple payback of 7 years or less. If there are no qualifying improvements, the landlord may register an exemption.

Energy performance certificates for commercial property (opens in a new tab)

Valid EPC held (if property let or sold since 2008) EPC rating E or above (required for lettings since April 2023) EPC recommendations reviewed and cost-effective measures implemented (optional) Building envelope maintained (no water ingress, intact insulation, functional windows) Glazing meets safety standards (BS 6262) where required Fire doors maintained and self-closing mechanisms functional

Energy Performance Certificate guide

EPC requirements, MEES compliance, exemptions, and rating improvement
Northern Ireland

Building compliance
Building regulations in Northern Ireland differ from GB:
- EPCs: Administered by NIHE, not England/Wales scheme
- Gas safety: The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004 apply, enforced by HSENI, and the Gas Safe Register applies UK-wide
- F-gas: Reported to NIEA (Northern Ireland Environment Agency), not EA
- TM44: Same 5-year inspection cycle applies
Building regulations in Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)
Asbestos, fire, heating, ventilation and lighting

Every enclosed workplace must have enough fresh or purified air, and suitable and sufficient lighting, using natural light where reasonably practicable.

Also have in place

A record of whether the building contains asbestos, and a plan to manage any that is there A fire risk assessment for the premises

Manage asbestos in non-domestic buildings

Surveys, the asbestos register and the management plan.

How to conduct a fire risk assessment

The steps of an assessment and what to record.

Heating system compliance for business premises

Boiler efficiency, flues and fuel storage when you replace or install heating.

Ventilation and indoor air quality requirements

How much fresh air a workplace needs and when Building Regulations apply.

Lighting requirements for business premises

Workplace lighting, emergency escape lighting and energy standards.
Failed any checks?

If you answered 'NO' to any required item:
1. Electrical/Gas/Lift faults: Engage qualified contractor immediately. Do not use faulty systems.
2. Overdue inspections: Book inspection within 7 days. Maintain temporary logbook until compliant.
3. Missing certificates: Obtain copies from contractor or arrange re-inspection if records lost.
4. EPC below E rating: Apply for exemption (if cost-effective improvements exhausted) or implement upgrades before next letting.
5. Legionella control gaps: Commission risk assessment and implement control regime immediately. High risk of serious harm.
Take note

Record keeping: Maintain a compliance file with all inspection reports, certificates, and test records. Enforcement authorities can request evidence at any time.

Annual compliance deadlines

Gas safety (HSE minimum; landlords' check)

12 months from last inspection

Electrical (commercial)

5 years (1 year high-risk)

F-gas leak checks (large systems)

Quarterly (3 months)

Lift thorough examination

6 months

TM44 air conditioning

5 years

Legionella temperature checks

Weekly

EPC validity

10 years
When to re-check

Re-run this checklist:
- Before lease renewals or property sales
- Before HSE or local authority inspections
- After any building works or system installations
- Annually as part of insurance compliance
- When taking over management of new premises
Set calendar reminders for each inspection deadline to maintain continuous compliance.

Building compliance quick check

Is your building compliant?

Electrical safety

Gas safety

Air conditioning and F-gas

Water systems and legionella

Passenger lifts and lifting equipment

Energy performance and building envelope

Asbestos, fire, heating, ventilation and lighting

Failed any checks?

Annual compliance deadlines

When to re-check

Next steps

Growing your business

Start importing goods to the UK

Transfer ownership of your business

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