Gas appliances need to be operated and maintained in accordance with their operating instructions (where applicable), to ensure they remain safe in normal use, and are only used for the purpose for which they were designed and tested.

For general information on the safe use of domestic appliances see Living Safely with Gas and LPG.

There are specific requirements for the repair, modification or adjustment of gas appliances and fittings. This work has to be done safely and should only be done by a competent person. 

Hire of gas appliances or installations that include gas appliances

Every person who hires out or leases out any gas appliance, fitting, or gas installation should ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that before hiring or leasing any such appliance, fitting or installation that it is in a safe condition and includes any safety accessory and instructions to ensure their safe use.

A gas appliance is deemed to be safe if it has been assessed as being not unsafe under a NZS 5256 safety verification check.

A gas installation is deemed safe if it is assessed as being not unsafe under a NZS 5255 safety verification check.

Specific provisions for landlords of residential premises

If you are a landlord of any residential premises, you must ensure any gas appliance or installation in the premises is safe and you must not allow any person to use an unsafe gas appliance or installation.

You must ensure that the occupier of any rental premises is provided with adequate instructions for the safe use of any gas appliances or installation.

A gas installation is deemed safe for the purposes of the residential tenancy if at the commencement of the tenancy it is assessed as being safe not unsafe under a NZS 5255 safety verification check.