These Regulations apply to houses in multiple occupation (as defined in sections 254 to 259 of the Housing Act 2004) (“HMOs”) in England. Under the Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006 (“the 2006 Regulations”), which apply in relation to all HMOs except those to which section 257 (HMOs: certain converted blocks of flats) of the Housing Act 2004 applies, a manager of an HMO is required to carry out certain duties in respect of the management of the HMO. One of those duties is to supply to the local housing authority within 7 days of receiving a request in writing from the authority the latest gas appliance test certificate the manager has received in relation to the testing by a “recognised engineer” of any gas appliance at the HMO. Under the Licensing and Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Additional Provisions) (England) Regulations 2007 (“the 2007 Regulations”) the same duty applies in relation to managers of HMOs to which section 257 of the Housing Act 2004 applies.

These Regulations replace the definition of “recognised engineer” in the 2006 Regulations and the 2007 Regulations. The new definition refers to an engineer who is approved under regulation 3 of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.

No impact assessment has been produced for these Regulations as no impact on the private or voluntary sectors is foreseen.