Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As an owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, flues and chimneys undergo annual inspections. You must also provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer determines that an appliance or installation as being immediately dangerous, they will request permission to cut off the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches are installed.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is an official document that proves that all gas appliances and flues in the rental property have been checked by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange a gas check for each rental property that they own at least once per year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and verify that all pipes, appliances and flues conform with safety regulations.
Landlords are also required by law to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) at the end of each year's gas safety inspection and test. The certificate should be provided to tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their lease.
CP12 is the abbreviation used for the CORGI Proforma 12 that was employed by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form lists the date of the last gas inspection and test and the results, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, and the name of the person who conducted the test.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas device the engineer will provide advice on what needs to be done to make it safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediately dangerous or Abnormally Lethal the gas supply must be disconnected until the issue is resolved.
If a tenant is unwilling to allow access for the gas safety checks to be carried out, it is an infraction that is punishable by law. A landlord can ask the courts for an injunction in the event of need, but it is generally more efficient to send a clearly written letter stating the reasons why it is crucial that the checks are made and what they'll involve. This should encourage tenants who are hesitant to allow access to the house. If not, the landlord will need to start the eviction procedure.
How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agencies are legally required to conduct an annual safety check on all gas appliances and flues that they supply to tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and there are no leaks of gas in the property. Gas inspections are an essential obligation for landlords and they should ensure that they are carried out by a licensed engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is legal document that confirms that the gas inspection was performed by a licensed engineer in the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and should also be given to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and has to be renewed every year.
landlord gas safety certificate who fails to 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 case tenants request it.
Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea, since it allows engineers to quickly access the appliances for annual inspections. The engineer will label the appliance as being at-risk and may suggest that tenants refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.
The landlords should also ensure that they give tenants at least 24 hours notice prior to the time they visit the property to perform Gas Safety checks. This allows tenants to prepare and request permission, if required. If a tenant is unwilling to permit the engineer to enter, the landlord should write to them explaining why the engineer is required and what happens if they don't follow through. If the tenant is still refusing, then the landlord should consider evicting them using section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if you don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal responsibility of a landlord to make sure that their property is equipped with an official gas safety certificate that is valid before tenants move in. Infractions to the law can lead to a landlord being prosecuted or fined severely. The regulations state that landlords are required to provide copies of the gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord to perform an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will identify any issues that could be a threat to tenants. The engineer will issue the CP12 Gas Safety Document, also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is a crucial piece of documentation that every tenant must take possession of and keep. This document contains information about gas installations in rental properties, including when they were tested and their expiration dates. It can help tenants identify any issues with their appliances or installation and ensure that they know how to contact a Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords are required to provide their current and new tenants with a gas safety report within 28 days of the engineer's visit to their property. The landlord is also required to provide the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenancy. Landlords who fail in providing the the gas certificate may be prosecuted and could face unlimited fines, or six months in prison.
The same way, landlords should ensure that carbon monoxide detectors work in their properties and arrange for them being checked every month. The landlord is responsible for fixing an alarm that does not work. The rules governing 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 illegal for landlords to issue Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official Gas Safety Certificate. The decision was based on a law that requires landlords with assured shorthold leases to obtain an official gas safety certificate for their property before tenants move in.
How can I obtain 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 cover this. To comply with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues that they install to tenants. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate. It must be filled out by a licensed Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It's also a good idea for landlords to look into having the boiler service completed in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, since this will help ensure that all gas appliances are working in a safe and efficient manner. Gas engineers can offer a combined CP12 inspection and boiler service for a reasonable price. They will inspect the seals on boiler burners and look for leaks and cracks within the flue system and clean the heat exchanger, and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 is often referred to by the term "landlord's gas safety certificate" but it actually is called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It lists the results of all safety checks and the details of any actions or issues that require attention. Landlords must give their tenants a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
It's important that the landlord or letting agent only permit Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It is crucial to educate tenants about the importance of allowing gas engineers access to the property and explain that the engineer is there to protect them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to permit access, the landlord or agent must state the legal requirements in writing. They should then go to the property and force entry if needed.
Tenants should always be shown a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before they allow them into the home, as this will prove that they're competent to work on your home's gas systems and are able to complete the gas safety check efficiently and efficiently. It's important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally permitted to disconnect faulty equipment and cut off your gas supplies in the event of a need.