Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances as well as chimneys and flues are inspected annually. You must also provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer considers that a particular appliance or installation is imminently dangerous the engineer will request permission to shut off the supply of gas and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document which demonstrates that the gas appliances in the rental property and flues have been inspected by a licensed gas engineer. Landlords are legally required to conduct a gas safety inspection once per year for each rental property they own. The inspection is performed by an Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all of the pipework appliances, flues, and pipes are in good working condition and in compliance with the safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) at the time of every annual inspection and test for gas safety. The certificate should be provided to tenants within 28 days following the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their tenancy.
CP12 is the abbreviation of 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, their results, any steps that must be taken, as well as the name and name of the engineer who conducted the inspection.
The engineer will give advice on the spot if the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be corrected so that it is safe for use. If an appliance is deemed to be immediately dangerous or abnormally lethal, the gas supply will need to be turned off until the problem is fixed.
If a tenant is unwilling to allow access for the gas safety checks to be carried out, it is an offence that is criminal. A landlord can ask the courts for an injunction order if necessary, however it is usually much easier to simply send a strongly written letter that explains why it is essential that the checks are carried out and what they'll involve. This should make a tenant more hesitant to give access, and if not, the landlord might be required to begin the eviction process.
How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
The law requires that landlords and agents for letting 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 their equipment is safe for use and there are no gas leaks in the property. Gas inspections are a vital responsibility for landlords, and they should ensure that they are carried out by a qualified 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 given to the landlord and must be given to the tenant to prove the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and has to be renewed each year.
If a landlord does not provide their tenants with the Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be fined by the local authority. It is therefore vital for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out at a timely basis and to keep a copy of the certificate in case a tenant requests it.
It's also a good idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances so that the engineers can easily access them for inspections every year. The engineer will classify the appliance as being at-risk and may suggest that tenants stop using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords should also make sure that they provide their tenants with at least 24 hours notice prior to when they visit the property to conduct Gas Safety checks. This gives tenants time to prepare and ask permission if they need. If a tenant is refusing entry to the engineer the landlord has to explain the reason why it is necessary and what will happen in the event that the tenant refuses. If the tenant does not allow the engineer entry, the landlord may think about evicting the tenant in accordance with section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.
What is the consequence if I don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal responsibility of a landlord to ensure that their property has an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move in. In the absence of this, it's an offense that could result in landlords being punished with severe fines. The regulations stipulate that landlords must also furnish copies of gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property for an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will be able to identify any issues that could pose a risk to tenants. The engineer will issue a CP12 Gas Safety Document, also known as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is a vital document that all tenants should take possession of and keep. It contains information about the gas appliances in the rental property, as well as details on when they were last tested and when they expire. It can help tenants spot any issues with their appliances or installations and ensure that they are aware of how to contact a Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords are required to provide an inspection report on gas safety to their tenants, current and new within 28 days of the date that the engineer has visited their property. They must also give a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy commences. Landlords who fail to provide the the gas certificate may be prosecuted and face unlimited fines, or six months in prison.
how much gas safety certificate , landlords should ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their properties and have them tested every month. If an alarm is not functioning, the landlord has to repair it. The rules for this apply to private, council and housing association landlords, as well as to licensable houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was unlawful for landlords to issue Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official Gas Safety Certificate. The decision was in accordance with the law that states that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must have a record of their gas safety for their property before tenants move in.
How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are legally responsible to make sure that the gas appliances, flues, and pipework in their properties are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. To comply with the regulations landlords must conduct annual gas checks of all gas appliances and flues that they install for use in the property. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and must be signed by a licensed Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also consider having a boiler inspection done in conjunction with an CP12 inspection. This will ensure that the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Landlords are usually able to receive a combination CP12 and boiler service for an affordable price from a professional gas engineer, who will be able to check the seals on boiler burners, inspect the flue system for leaks and cracks, clean the heat exchanger and burner and conduct general maintenance.
The CP12 document is commonly referred to as the 'landlord gas safety certificate' although it is officially called the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of safety checks, as well as specifics of any issues or actions that should be taken care of. Landlords must provide their tenants with a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
It is important that landlords and letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and for maintenance. It is crucial to educate tenants on 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 refuses to permit access the agent or landlord must outline the legal obligations in writing. Then, they should visit the property and force entry if needed.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before they are allowed to enter the property. This will prove that the engineer is competent to work with the systems in your home and can therefore be trusted to perform the safety check. Be aware that a gas engineer can legally remove the malfunctioning equipment or cut off your gas supply if needed.