Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys undergo annual inspections. It is also your responsibility to provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer believes that any appliance or installation is immediate danger, they will request permission to shut off gas supply and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A landlord gas safety certificate is a document that proves that all the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a certified gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange an annual gas inspection for each rental property that they own at least once per year. The inspection is carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all pipework appliances, flues, and pipes are in good working order and that they comply with safety standards.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) after every annual inspection and test for gas safety. This should be given to tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their tenancy.
CP12 is what is a gas safety certificate used 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, their results, any steps that need to be taken, and the name and name of the engineer who performed the test.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas appliance and the engineer will give advice on what needs to be done to ensure its safe use. If a device is deemed dangerous immediately or abnormally dangerous, the gas supply must be turned off until the issue is resolved.
It is illegal to a tenant who refuses to let the gas safety check to be conducted. If necessary landlords can apply to the courts for an order to prohibit the tenant from preventing the gas safety checks. However, it's more common to send a letter that clarifies why the checks are vital and what is involved. This can make a tenant more hesitant to let access in, and if not, the landlord might have to think about starting the process of eviction.
How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
By law, landlords and let agents are required by law to conduct an annual gas safety inspection of the chimneys and gas appliances they offer to their tenants. This is done to ensure that the equipment is safe for them to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks within the property. Gas inspections are a crucial obligation for landlords and they must ensure that they are completed by a qualified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document that indicates that an engineer completed a gas check within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord, and should be presented to the tenant in order to demonstrate the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months and has to be renewed each year.
A landlord who does not provide a Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. Gas Safety checks must be completed by landlords in time. They should also keep a copy in the event that tenants request it.
It is also a good idea for landlords to put inspection hatches on all gas appliances, so that the engineers can easily access the hatches for annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be at risk during an inspection the engineer will declare it to be at risk and will shut off the boiler and suggest that the tenant refrain from using it until the inspection hatch is installed.
The landlords should also ensure that they give their tenants at least 24 hours notice prior to when they enter the property to carry out Gas Safety checks. This allows the tenants to prepare for the visit and give permission if needed. If a tenant does not allow entry to the engineer, the landlord must explain the reason why it is necessary and what will happen if the tenant refused. If the tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord could decide to evict the tenant under section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if I don't receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
In short, it's the landlord's legal responsibility to ensure their property has an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into. Failure to adhere to this law could result in a landlord being prosecuted or fined heavily. The regulations state that landlords are required to provide copies of the gas safety records 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 pose a risk for tenants. The engineer will issue an CP12 Gas Safety Document, which is also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is an important document that every tenant must keep. It contains information on the gas installations of a rented property, as well as details on when they were last checked and the expiry dates. It can help tenants spot any issues with their installation or appliances and ensure that they know how to contact an Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords must provide an inspection report on gas safety to their tenants, new and current, within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. They must also provide a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy begins. Landlords who do not provide a copy of the gas safety certificate may be prosecuted in accordance with the regulations and may be subject to unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties have working 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. This is the case for councils, private landlords, and housing associations, as well as licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017 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 of assured shorthold tenancies must have an approved gas safety certificate for their property before tenants move into.
How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework within their properties are safe for tenants. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To be in compliance with the regulations landlords must conduct annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues they provide to tenants. This is known as a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and it must be completed by a qualified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
It is also a good idea for landlords to think about having the boiler service completed at the same time as the CP12 inspection, as this will help ensure that all gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Gas engineers can provide the combination CP12 inspection and boiler service for a reasonable price. They will examine the seals of boiler burners, inspect for cracks and leaks in the flue system, clean the heat exchanger and perform 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 outlines the outcomes of all the safety checks and details of any actions or problems that require attention. Landlords must provide their tenants a CP12 document within 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is crucial that the landlord or letting agent only allow Gas Safe registered engineers to access the property to conduct safety checks and for maintenance. It's a good idea inform tenants of the importance of allowing access and explain that the gas engineer will ensure they are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If a tenant is hesitant to allow access it's the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility clarify the legal obligations in writing. Then follow with a visit to the property to force entry if needed.
Tenants must always request to have 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 is able to complete the gas safety inspection efficiently and effectively. Be what is a gas safety certificate that a gas engineer is able to legally remove the malfunctioning equipment or cut off your gas supply if needed.