Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure 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 disconnect gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is an official document that confirms that all gas appliances and flues within the rented property have been checked by an experienced gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange the gas check for each rental property they own at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and ensure that all pipes, appliances and flues conform with 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. This should be given to tenants within 28 days after the Gas Safety Inspection and to 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 shows the date of the last gas inspection and tests, the results of these tests, any actions or issues that need to be addressed, as well as the name of the person who performed the check.
The engineer will provide advice in the event that the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will include the items that need to be corrected so that it is safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediately dangerous or abnormally dangerous the gas supply needs to be disconnected until the problem has been resolved.
If gas safety certificate how often does not permit access to the gas safety checks to be carried out it is a criminal offence. If necessary, a landlord can ask the courts for a court order to enjoin the tenant from preventing the gas safety inspections. However, it's usually easier to send a letter which explains why the checks are important and what's involved. This will encourage a reluctant tenant to allow access and, in the event that they do not, the landlord might need to consider starting the process of eviction.
How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agencies are required by law to conduct an annual safety check on all flues and gas appliances that are supplied to their tenants. This is done to ensure that the equipment is safe for them to use and that there are no gas leaks within the property. Gas inspections are a crucial responsibility for landlords, and they should ensure that they are completed by a certified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is an official document that proves that the gas inspection was completed by a qualified engineer in the last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord and should be given to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months, and must be renewed every year.
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. It is therefore essential for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out at a timely basis and keep a copy of the documentation in case a tenant requests it.
Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea, because it lets engineers gain access to the appliances to conduct annual inspections. The engineer will classify the appliance as 'at-risk' and may suggest that tenants stop using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords are also required to provide their tenants with 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 necessary. If a tenant does not allow access to the engineer, the landlord must explain the reason why it is necessary and what would happen should the tenant refuse. If the tenant still refuses, then the landlord should think about evicting them under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What is the consequence if you don't possess a Gas Safety Certificate?
In short, it's a landlord's legal duty to ensure their property has a valid gas safety certification prior to the time tenants move into the property. Failing to do so is an offence that can lead to landlords being prosecuted and subject to severe fines. The regulations stipulate that landlords must also provide copies of the gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property of the landlord to conduct a gas inspection on all gas appliances. During the inspection, the engineer will note any issues that could present a danger for tenants. They will then issue the CP12 gas safety document, which is known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is an important document that every tenant must keep. It contains information about the gas installations in a rental property, as well as details about when they were last tested and their expiry dates. It will help tenants recognize issues with their appliances and installations and make sure they are aware of how to contact an Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.
Landlords are required to provide the gas safety report to their tenants, current and new within 28 days of the date that the engineer has visited their property. The landlord is also required to provide a copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords who fail to provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate can be prosecuted under the rules and may be subject to unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms. They should also arrange that they be tested every month. If the alarm is not working, the landlord should fix it. The rules for this apply to council, private, and housing association landlords, as well as to licensable houses of multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In June 2017 the High Court decided that it was illegal for landlords to issue Section 21 notices if they did not provide their tenants with a valid gas safety certificate. The decision was in accordance with the law that states that landlords of assured shorthold leases must have a gas safety record for their property before tenants move into.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that the gas appliances, flues, and pipework in their properties are safe for tenants. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To be in compliance with these regulations, landlords must arrange annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues that they supply for use within the property. 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 an excellent idea for landlords to think about having the boiler service completed simultaneously with the CP12 inspection, since this will help ensure that all the gas appliances are functioning correctly and safely. Landlords are usually able to receive a combination CP12 and boiler service at an affordable cost from a professional gas engineer. They will be able to check the seals on boiler burners. They will also inspect the flue system for leaks and cracks as well as clean the heat exchanger and burner and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 document is often called the 'landlord's gas safety certificate' but it is actually the Gas Safety Record documentation. It includes the results of the safety inspections, and specifics about any issues or actions that need to be taken care of. Landlords must provide their tenants a CP12 document within 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is essential that landlords or letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers to visit the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It's a good idea inform tenants about the importance of allowing access and explain that the gas engineer will help keep them safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant refuses to permit access, the landlord or agent must explain the legal obligations in writing. Then, they should visit the property and force entry if needed.
Tenants should always ask to be shown a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to they allow them into the home to prove that they're qualified to work on the gas systems in your home and are able to complete the gas safety test efficiently and effectively. It's important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally permitted to disconnect faulty equipment and cut off your gas supplies when necessary.