Landlord Plumbing Safety Checklist for Rental Properties

The Plumbing Check Every Peterborough Landlord Should Do

Your plumbing and heating obligations as a landlord go well beyond keeping the boiler running. Failing to maintain a safe water and drainage system puts tenants at risk, exposes you to legal liability, and can void your landlord insurance. Use this checklist alongside our landlord plumbing services to make sure nothing is missed.

Annual Legal Requirement: Gas Safety Certificate

The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 require an annual check of all gas appliances, pipework, and flues by a Gas Safe registered engineer. The resulting CP12 must be given to existing tenants within 28 days and to new tenants before they move in. Failure to comply is a criminal offence. Our Gas Safe engineers issue CP12 certificates across all PE postcodes and can send you automatic annual reminders.

Before Every New Tenancy

Run all taps and check pressure throughout the property. Confirm the stopcock is accessible, labelled, and turns freely — tenants need to be able to shut off the water in an emergency. Test all drains. Inspect under-sink cabinets for any signs of moisture or slow leaks. Check toilet cisterns and pans for cracks. Test bath and shower seals — failed silicone allows water to penetrate the floor structure silently.

Boiler and Hot Water

Confirm the boiler is serviced and producing hot water at the correct temperature. Between 50°C and 60°C at the cylinder prevents Legionella risk; limiting it to 48°C at the tap protects against scalding where vulnerable tenants are present. Book your annual boiler service well before the tenancy start date so any issues are resolved in advance.

Legionella Risk Assessment

The Health and Safety Executive requires landlords to carry out a Legionella risk assessment. For most standard residential properties with a conventional boiler, this is a simple self-assessment — but it must be documented. Properties with cold water storage tanks, infrequently used outlets, or hot water stored between 20–45°C carry a higher risk and may need professional assessment.

Your Ongoing Duty

Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, you must keep all water, heating, and sanitation installations in repair and proper working order throughout the tenancy. For plumbing emergencies — burst pipes, loss of hot water, heating failure — a same-day or next-day response is expected. Delayed responses that result in damage or risk to health can lead to compensation claims.

Need Help Staying Compliant?

We work with landlords across Peterborough — from single buy-to-let properties to larger portfolios in the city centre, Orton, and Werrington. Call 02039514510 or get in touch online and we'll set up annual reminders and priority call-outs for your properties.