Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys undergo annual checks. You must also give a copy of the report to your tenants.
If the engineer determines that a particular appliance or installation is immediately dangerous the engineer will request permission to shut off gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that demonstrates that all of the gas appliances and flues have been checked by a licensed gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange the gas check for each rental property they have at least once a year. The inspection is performed by an Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all pipework, appliances, and flues are in good working condition and that they comply with safety standards.
Landlords are also legally required to give their tenants copies of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) following each annual gas safety inspection and test. The document should be handed out to tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their tenancy.
CP12 is an abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 which was used by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) prior to being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form outlines the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their results, any actions required to be taken, as well as the name and name of the engineer that conducted the inspection.
The engineer will give advice on the spot if the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will include what needs to be addressed so that it is safe for use. If an appliance is deemed Immediately Dangerous, or Abnormally dangerous, the gas supply must be disconnected until the problem has been resolved.
If a tenant does not permit access to the gas safety checks to be completed, it is an offence that is criminal. If needed the landlord has the right to ask the courts for an order to prohibit the tenant from preventing the gas safety checks. However, it is usually easier to write a letter that explains why the checks are vital and what is involved. This should encourage tenants who are hesitant to let access to the property. If not the landlord has to initiate the eviction process.
How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
In the law, landlords and let agents are required by law to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on all chimneys and gas appliances that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and that there are no gas leaks within the property. Gas inspections are a vital responsibility for landlords, and they must ensure they are carried out by a qualified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is an official document that proves that a gas inspection has been performed by a licensed engineer within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord, and should be provided to the tenant to verify the safety of gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months and must be renewed annually.
A landlord who does not provide a Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. Gas Safety checks must be carried out by landlords on time. They must keep a copy in case tenants ask for it.
Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea, because it lets engineers quickly access the appliances for their annual inspections. The engineer will classify the appliance as 'at-risk' and may recommend that tenants refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords must also give their tenants at least 24 hours' notice prior to entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This gives tenants time to plan their inspection and request permission if they need. If a tenant refuses to allow the engineer access, the landlord should send a letter to them explaining the reason for the visit and what will happen if they don't comply. If the tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer entry, the landlord could consider evicting the tenant under section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if you don't own a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal obligation of landlords to ensure that their property is equipped with a gas safety certificate valid prior to the time tenants move into. Failure to adhere to the law can lead to a landlord being prosecuted or being fined a significant amount. The regulations also state that landlords must provide an electronic copy of the gas safety record to their tenants on request.
Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to perform an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will note any problems that could be a threat to tenants. They will issue an CP12 gas safety document, which is known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is an important piece of documentation that every tenant should be able to access and keep. This document provides information on gas installations in a rental property and the dates they were tested and their expiration dates. It will help tenants recognize issues with their appliances and installations and ensure that they know how contact a Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.
Landlords are required to provide a gas safety report to their tenants, both new and existing, within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. The landlord must also provide the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords that fail to provide the copy of the gas certificate can be prosecuted and could face unlimited fines or even six months in prison.
Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms. They should also arrange for them to be tested every month. The landlord is responsible for repairing an alarm that does not work. The rules governing this are applicable to private, council and housing association landlords, and also to licensable houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In June 2017 In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was illegal for landlords to issue Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official gas Safety Certificate. The decision was based on a law that requires landlords with assured shorthold tenancies to have a gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move into it.
How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework in their properties are safe for tenants. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. In order to comply with these regulations, landlords must arrange annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues they supply for use within the property. This is known as a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and it must be signed by a licensed Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
It is also a good idea for landlords to consider having the boiler service completed at the same time as the CP12 inspection, as it will help ensure that all the gas appliances are operating in a safe and efficient manner. Landlords can typically get a combined CP12 and boiler service at an affordable cost from a professional gas engineer who will be able to check the seals on boiler burners, inspect the flue system for cracks and leaks cleaning the heat exchanger and burner and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes known as "landlord's gas safety certificate " however it's actually called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of the safety tests, as well as details of any problems or actions that should be addressed. Landlords must give their tenants a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
It is essential that landlords and letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property for safety inspections and maintenance. It is essential to inform tenants about the importance of permitting gas engineers access to the property and explain that the engineer is there to protect them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is reluctant to let access in it is the landlord's or letting agent's duty to explain the legal responsibilities in writing, and follow up with a visit to the property to force entry if needed.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to entering the property. This will ensure that the engineer is qualified to work with your home's systems and can therefore be trusted to conduct the safety check. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally able to shut off any malfunctioning equipment and cut off your gas supplies in the event of a need.