Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As an owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys undergo annual checks. The law also requires you give a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer considers that a particular appliance or installation is imminently dangerous, they will request permission to shut off the supply of gas and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A landlord's gas safety certificate is an official document that confirms that all gas appliances and flues in the property that is rented have been checked by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange an annual gas inspection for each rental property they have at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and verify that all pipework, appliances and flues conform with safety regulations.
Landlords are also legally required to provide tenants with copies of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) after each annual gas safety inspection and test. This must be given to tenants in the 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the start of their lease.
CP12 is the abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 that was used by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form includes the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, the results, any steps required to be taken, and the name and name of the engineer that conducted the inspection.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance, the engineer will advise on what needs to be done to ensure it is safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediately dangerous or Abnormally Lethal, the gas supply will have to be turned off until the problem has been solved.
It is illegal to a tenant who refuses to allow the gas safety test to be conducted. A landlord may apply to the courts for an injunction should it be necessary, but it is generally more efficient to simply send a strongly written letter that explains why it is essential that the checks are conducted and what they will entail. This will encourage a reluctant tenant to allow access and, if not, the landlord may be required to begin the process of eviction.
How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
In the law, landlords and letting agents are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on the chimneys and gas appliances they offer to their tenants. This is to ensure that the equipment is safe to use and that there are no gas leaks in the building. Gas inspections are an essential responsibility for landlords, and they should ensure that they are carried out by a licensed engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document which indicates that an engineer completed a gas check within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord, and should also be given to the tenant to verify the safety of gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months, and must be renewed each year.
If a landlord does not provide their tenants with an Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be penalized by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be completed by landlords in time. They must also keep a copy in the event that tenants request it.
Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea because it lets engineers gain access to the appliances for their annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be in danger during an inspection the engineer will classify it as such and shut off the boiler and suggest that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch is installed.
do homeowners need a gas safety certificate should also ensure that they give their tenants a minimum of 24 hours notice prior to when they visit the property to conduct Gas Safety checks. This will allow tenants to prepare for the visit and give permission, if required. If a tenant does not allow entry to the engineer, the landlord must explain the reason for this and what would happen should the tenant refuse. If the tenant still refuses then the landlord should consider evicting them using section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if you don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
In short, it is the landlord's legal obligation to ensure that their property is equipped with a valid gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into the property. Failure to adhere to this law can result in the landlord being prosecuted or fined heavily. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must give a copy of the gas safety certificate to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property of the landlord to conduct an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will be able to identify any issues that may pose a risk for tenants. The engineer will then issue the CP12 Gas Safety Document, also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is a very important document that every tenant must keep. The document contains information about gas installations in a rental property as well as the date they were tested and their expiration dates. It can help tenants spot any issues with their appliances or installations and make sure that they are aware of how to contact an Gas Safe engineer to have them tested.
Landlords are required to provide the gas safety report to their tenants, both current and new within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. They must also give a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy commences. Landlords who fail to provide the copy of the gas certificate could be prosecuted and could face unlimited fines or even six months in prison.
Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms. They can also arrange for them to be tested every month. The landlord is responsible for fixing the problem if the alarm does not work. This is the case for councils, private landlords, and housing associations as well as licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017 the High Court ruled that it was unlawful for landlords to serve Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official gas Safety Certificate. The decision was based on a law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to obtain a gas safety certification for their property prior to the time tenants move into it.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that gas appliances, flues, and pipework in their homes are safe for tenants. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To comply with the regulations landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues that they install for use in the property. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, and it has to be signed by a licensed Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
It is also a good idea for landlords to think about having an annual boiler service performed in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, since this will help ensure that all the gas appliances are working in a safe and efficient manner. Gas engineers can provide the combination CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable cost. They will inspect the boiler burner's seals as well as look for leaks and cracks in the flue system, clean the heat exchanger, and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 document is commonly called the 'landlord's gas safety certificate' however, it is officially referred to as the Gas Safety Record documentation. It outlines the outcomes of all safety inspections and details of any actions or problems that need to be resolved. Landlords must provide their tenants with a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
It is essential that landlords and letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property for safety inspections and maintenance. It's important to educate tenants about the importance of giving gas engineers access to the property and explain that the engineer's job is to protect them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant refuses to allow access, the landlord or agent must outline the legal obligations in writing. They should then visit the property and force entry if necessary.
Tenants should always be shown a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to they allow them into the home to ensure that they are properly qualified to work on the gas systems in your home and are able to complete the gas safety check efficiently and efficiently. You should also be aware that a gas engineer can legally remove faulty equipment or cut off your gas supply if needed.