Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys undergo annual inspections. You must also give a copy of the report to your tenants.
If the engineer considers an appliance or installation as being immediately dangerous they will ask for permission to cut off the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches be installed.
What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that proves that all of the gas appliances and flues have been checked by a certified gas engineer. The landlord must arrange for an annual gas inspection for each rental property they own at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry out the inspection and check that all pipes, appliances and flues are in compliance with safety regulations.
Landlords are also required by law to give their tenants copies of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) following each annual gas safety inspection and test. The certificate should be given to tenants in the 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the beginning of their tenure.
CP12 is the abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 that was employed by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form outlines the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, the results, any steps that need to be taken, as well as the name and the title of the engineer who performed the check.
The engineer will give advice if the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. check it out will outline what needs to be addressed so that it is safe for use. If an appliance is deemed to be immediate danger or abnormally lethal, the gas supply will need to be turned off until the problem is resolved.
If a tenant is unwilling to allow access for the gas safety checks to be carried out, it is a criminal offence. If necessary landlords can apply to the courts for a court order to enjoin the tenant from preventing the gas safety checks. However, it's usually easier to send a letter that clarifies why the checks are essential and what will be required. This will encourage a reluctant tenant to give access, and if otherwise, the landlord could need to consider starting the eviction process.
How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agents are legally required to conduct an annual gas safety check on all flues and gas appliances that they supply to their tenants. This is to ensure that the equipment is safe to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks in the building. This is an essential obligation and landlords must be sure to are inspected for gas by a licensed gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document that affirms that an engineer has completed a gas inspection in 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 12 months and needs to be renewed every year.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants with a Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be punished by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be performed by landlords on time. They should also keep a copy in the event that tenants request it.
Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea since it allows engineers to gain access to the appliances to conduct annual inspections. The engineer will categorise the appliance as 'at-risk' and may suggest that the tenant refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords are also required to give tenants at least 24 hours' notice before entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows tenants time to prepare and ask permission if they need. If a tenant does not allow the engineer access the landlord should inform them why it is necessary and what will happen if they don't follow through. If the tenant does not allow the engineer entry, the landlord could consider evicting the tenant under section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if I don't receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
In essence it's the landlord's legal responsibility to ensure that their property is equipped with a valid gas safety certification before tenants move into the property. Failing to do so is an offense that could cause landlords to be prosecuted and subject to severe fines. The regulations also stipulate that a landlord must provide a copy of the gas safety record to their tenants on request.
Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property for a gas check on all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will take note of any issues that could cause a threat to tenants. The engineer will then issue a CP12 Gas Safety Document, also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
gas safety certificate what is checked is an important piece of documentation that all tenants should get a hold of and keep. It contains information about the gas installations of a rented property, as well as details regarding when they last tested and their expiry dates. It will help tenants recognize issues with their appliances or installations and make sure they know how to contact an Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.
Landlords are required to provide their new and current tenants with a gas safety report within 28 days of the engineer's visit to their property. The landlord must also provide an original copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords who fail to provide the copy of the gas certificate could be prosecuted and could face unlimited fines or six months in prison.
Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms. They should also arrange for them to be tested each month. If the alarm isn't functioning, the landlord has to repair it. The rules governing this are applicable to council, private and housing association landlords and also to licensable houses of multiple Occupation (HMOs).
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 made based on the law that states that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must obtain an approved gas safety certificate for their property before tenants move into the property.
How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework in the homes they rent out are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 regulate this. To comply with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks of all gas appliances and flues they provide for use in the property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate and it must be filled out by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It is also a good idea for landlords to consider having the boiler service completed simultaneously with the CP12 inspection, as this will help ensure that all the gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Gas engineers can provide a combined CP12 inspection and boiler service for a reasonable price. They will inspect the boiler burner's seals, inspect for cracks and leaks in the flue system, clean the heat exchanger and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 document is commonly referred to as the 'landlord gas safety certificate', however, it is officially referred to as the Gas Safety Record documentation. It outlines the outcomes of all the safety checks and details of any actions or issues that need to be resolved. Landlords must provide their tenants a CP12 document within 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It's important that the landlord or letting agent only permit Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises for safety checks and maintenance. It is essential to inform tenants about the importance of permitting gas engineers access to their property and explain that the engineer's presence is necessary to protect them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to permit access, the landlord or agent must explain the legal obligations in writing. They should then visit the property and force entry if necessary.
Tenants should always ask to see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before letting them in, as this will prove that they are properly qualified to work on the gas systems in your home and can be trusted to complete the gas safety test efficiently and efficiently. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally permitted to cut off any defective equipment and can cut off your gas supply if necessary.