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. The law also requires you provide a copy the check to your tenants.
If the engineer determines that any installation or appliance is immediate danger, they will request permission to cut off gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document which demonstrates that the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been examined by a certified gas engineer. Landlords must arrange the gas check for each rental property that they own at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and ensure that all pipework, appliances and flues are in compliance with safety regulations.
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. This should be provided to tenants in the 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the start of their tenure.
CP12 is the abbreviation used for the CORGI Proforma 12 that was used 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 actions required to be taken, and the name and title of the engineer who performed the test.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas appliance, the engineer will advise on what must be done to make it 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 has been solved.
If a tenant refuses to permit access to the gas safety checks to be completed it is an offence that is criminal. A landlord can ask the courts for an injunction in the event of need, but it is generally easier to simply send a well written letter that explains why it is essential that the checks are conducted and what they'll involve. This should entice tenants who are hesitant to let access to the property. If not the landlord has to begin the eviction process.
How often should I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
By law, landlords and let agents are required by law to conduct an annual safety check of all chimneys and gas appliances that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe to use and that there aren't any gas leaks within the property. Gas inspections are an essential responsibility for landlords, and they must ensure that they are carried out by a licensed engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is a legal document that confirms that an inspection of the gas supply has been conducted by a qualified engineer within the past 12 months. It is issued to the landlord and should be handed over to the tenant to prove the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months and has to be renewed annually.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants with the Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be fined by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be completed by landlords in time. They should keep a copy in case tenants ask for it.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to put inspection hatches on all gas appliances, so that engineers can easily access the hatches for annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be 'at risk' during an inspection, the engineer will formally declare it to be at risk and shut off the boiler and suggest that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch is installed.
gas safety certificate and boiler service are also required to give their tenants at least 24 hours' notice prior entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows the tenants to prepare for the visit and provide permission, if required. If a tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry the landlord should write to them explaining why it is necessary and what happens if they don't follow through. If the tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord could decide to evict the tenant under section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if you don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
In short it's a landlord's legal duty to ensure that their home has a valid gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move in. Failing to do so is an offence that can lead to landlords being punished with severe fines. The regulations also state that landlords must give a copy of the gas safety certificate to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to perform an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, the engineer will note any issues that may cause a threat for tenants. They will then issue the CP12 gas safety certificate, which is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is a crucial document that every tenant must keep. The document contains information about gas installations in rental properties as well as the date they were tested as well as their expiration dates. It can assist tenants in identifying issues with their appliances and installations and ensure that they know how to contact a Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.
Landlords must give the gas safety report to their tenants, new and existing, 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 do not provide a copy of the gas safety certificate may be prosecuted under the rules and could face unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.
In the same way, landlords must make sure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange for them to be tested every month. The landlord is responsible for fixing an alarm that does not work. The rules around this are applicable to council, private, and housing association landlords, as well as licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
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 ruling was based on the law that requires landlords with assured shorthold leases to obtain a gas safety certification for their property prior to when tenants move in.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that gas appliances, flues, and pipework in their properties are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 regulate this. In order to comply with the regulations, landlords are required to organize annual gas inspections of all the gas appliances and flues that they provide for use in the property. how much for landlords gas safety certificate is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate. It must be completed by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It is also an excellent idea for landlords to look into having an annual boiler service performed in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, as this will help ensure that all gas appliances are functioning correctly and safely. Landlords can typically receive a combination CP12 and boiler service at an affordable cost from a professional gas engineer, who can check the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for cracks and leaks as well as clean the heat exchanger and burner and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 document is commonly called the 'landlord's gas safety certificate', but it is actually the Gas Safety Record documentation. It includes the results of the safety checks, as well as specifics about 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's important that the landlords or letting agents permit Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises to conduct safety checks and for maintenance. It is crucial to educate tenants on the importance of allowing gas engineers access to the property. They should explain that the engineer's job is to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to permit access the agent or landlord must outline the legal obligations in writing. They should then visit the property and force entry if required.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to allowing them to enter the property. This will ensure that the engineer is competent to work with your home's systems and therefore be trusted to conduct the safety inspection. It is also important to know that a gas technician can legally disconnect defective equipment or shut off your gas supply if needed.