Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As an owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, flues and chimneys are inspected annually. The law also requires that you give a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer considers an appliance or installation to be immediately dangerous they will ask permission to disconnect the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches be put in place.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A landlord's gas safety certificate is an official document that proves that all gas appliances and flues that are in the property that is rented were inspected by an experienced gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange the gas check for each rental property that they own at least once a year. The inspection is performed by a Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all pipework appliances, flues, and pipes are in good working order and in compliance with safety standards.
The law also requires landlords to give tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record), following every annual inspection and test for gas safety. The certificate should be provided to tenants within 28 days after the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their tenure.
CP12 is an abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was used by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) prior to being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form lists the date of the last gas inspection and tests, the results of these, any actions or issues that need to be addressed, as well as the name of the engineer who carried out the test.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas device, the engineer will advise on what must be done to ensure its safe use. If an appliance is deemed immediately dangerous or abnormally dangerous the gas supply should be disconnected until the problem has been resolved.
It is illegal for a tenant to refuse to let the gas safety inspection to be conducted. A landlord can ask the courts for an injunction order if necessary, however it is generally easier to simply send a strongly worded letter explaining why it is essential that the checks are conducted and what they will involve. This should entice the tenant who is hesitant to let access to the property. If not, the landlord will need to initiate the eviction process.
How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
The landlords and letting agencies are required by law to conduct an annual gas safety check on all gas appliances and flues that they supply to tenants. This is to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and that there are no gas leaks in the building. Gas inspections are a vital responsibility for landlords, and they should ensure that they are conducted by a certified 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 inspection within the last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord and should be given to the tenant as proof of the security of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months, and has to be renewed annually.
If a landlord is unable to provide their tenants with the Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be punished by the local authority. It is therefore crucial for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out in a timely manner 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 to allow engineers to easily access them for inspections every year. The engineer will classify the appliance as 'at-risk' and may recommend that tenants refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords must also ensure that they give tenants a minimum of 24 hours notice prior to when they visit the property to perform Gas Safety checks. This will allow tenants to prepare for the visit and give permission if necessary. If a tenant is refusing the engineer's entry, the landlord must explain the reason for this and what would happen if the tenant refused. If the tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer entry, the landlord could decide to evict the tenant under section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if you don't own a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal responsibility of a landlord to make sure that their property has an approved gas safety certificate before tenants move in. Failure to adhere to this law can result in a landlord being prosecuted or fined heavily. The regulations state that landlords must also provide copies of gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to perform an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection, a Gas Safe registered engineer will be able to identify any issues that could pose a danger to tenants. The engineer will then 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. The document contains information about gas installations in a rental property, including when they were tested and their expiration dates. It can help tenants identify any issues with their installation or appliances and ensure they know how to reach a Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords must give an inspection report on gas safety to their tenants, new and existing within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. gas safety certificate how often must also provide a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy begins. Landlords who fail in providing the the gas certificate can be charged and face unlimited fines or even six months in prison.
In the same way, landlords should ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are in operation in their properties and make arrangements for them to be tested every month. If the alarm is not working, the landlord must fix it. This is the case for private landlords, councils and housing associations, and also licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was illegal for landlords to issue Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid gas Safety Certificate. The ruling was by reference to the law which stipulates that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must obtain an approved gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time 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 the properties they rent out are safe. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To be in compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to arrange annual gas checks on all the gas appliances and flues that they provide for use in the building. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate. It must be signed by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also consider performing a boiler inspection simultaneously with a CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are working properly and safely. Gas engineers can offer the combination CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable price. They will examine the seals on boiler burners as well as look for cracks and leaks in the flue system and clean the heat exchanger, and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 is often called "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it actually is known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of all safety checks and the details of any actions or problems that need to be addressed. Landlords must give their tenants a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
It is crucial that the landlords or letting agents permit Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises to conduct safety inspections and 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 allow access, the landlord or agent must explain the legal obligations in writing. They should then visit the property and force entry if required.
Tenants should always see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before entering the premises, as this will prove that they're qualified to work on your home's gas systems and is able to complete the gas safety check efficiently and effectively. You should also be aware that a gas technician can legally remove defective equipment or shut off your gas supply should it be required.