Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, chimneys and flues are inspected every year. The law also requires that you give a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer considers an appliance or installation as being immediately dangerous, they will request permission to cut off the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches be put in place.
What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate issued by a landlord is an official document that proves that all gas appliances and flues within the rented property were inspected by an accredited gas engineer. Landlords must arrange a gas check for each rental property they own at least once per year. The inspection is conducted by a Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all pipes, appliances, and flues are in good working condition and that they are in compliance with the safety regulations.
Landlords are also required by law to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) after each annual gas safety inspection and test. The certificate should be given to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the start of their lease.
CP12 is an abbreviation used for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was employed by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form includes the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, the results, any steps that must be taken, as well as the name and title of the engineer that conducted the check.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance and the engineer will give advice on what needs to be done to make it safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediate danger or Abnormally Lethal, the gas supply must be disconnected until the issue is resolved.
It is a crime to a tenant who refuses to allow the gas safety check to be conducted. A landlord can apply to the courts for an injunction order should it be necessary, but it is generally more efficient to simply send a well written letter stating the reasons why it is crucial that the checks are conducted and what they'll involve. This can make a tenant more hesitant to allow access and, if otherwise, the landlord could be required to begin the process of eviction.
How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
In the law, landlords and agents for letting are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection of the chimneys and gas appliances they offer to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and that there aren't any leaks of gas in the property. Gas inspections are an essential obligation for landlords and they must ensure they are conducted by a certified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document that affirms that an engineer has completed a gas inspection within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and should also be given to the tenant to verify the safety of gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and needs to be renewed annually.
A landlord who fails to provide the Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. It is therefore vital for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out at a timely basis and to keep a copy of the certificate in case a tenant needs it.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances so that engineers can easily access them for annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be at risk during an inspection the engineer will categorise it as such and may disconnect the boiler and suggest that tenants not to use it until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords must also give their tenants at least 24 hours' notice before entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. certificate cost allows tenants to plan their inspection and request permission if needed. If a tenant is refusing access to the engineer, the landlord must explain the reason why it is necessary and what happens should the tenant refuse. If the tenant is still refusing, then the landlord should look into evicting them pursuant to section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if you don't own a Gas Safety Certificate?
In short it's a landlord's legal duty to ensure that their home has a valid gas safety certification prior to the time tenants move into. Failure to comply with the law can lead to the landlord being charged or being fined a significant amount. The regulations also state that landlords must provide an original copy of their gas safety report to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to conduct a gas check on all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will be able to identify any issues that may pose a risk to tenants. They will then issue the CP12 gas safety document, which is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is a very important document that every tenant should keep. The document contains information about gas installations in rental properties and the dates they were tested and expiration dates. It will help tenants recognize issues with their appliances and installations and make sure that they are aware of how to contact an Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.
Landlords are required to provide their current and new tenants with a gas safety report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. The landlord must also provide an original copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords who fail to provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted in accordance with the regulations and face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange for them to be tested every month. If the alarm is not working, the landlord must make the necessary repairs. This is applicable to councils, private landlords, and housing associations, and also 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 ruling was based on a law that requires landlords with assured shorthold leases to obtain a gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move into it.
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 comply with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues that they install to tenants. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate. It must be filled out by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It's also a good idea for landlords to look into having the boiler service completed simultaneously with the CP12 inspection, as it will help ensure that all the gas appliances are functioning correctly and safely. Gas engineers can offer the combination CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable cost. They will check the boiler burner's seals as well as look for cracks and leaks in the flue system, clean the heat exchanger, and carry out 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 includes the results of the safety inspections, and details of any problems or actions that must 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 essential that landlords and letting agents only permit Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It is a good idea to inform tenants of the necessity of allowing access, and explaining that the gas engineer is there to ensure they are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant does not allow access the agent or landlord must outline the legal obligations in writing. Then, they should visit the property and force entry if needed.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to entering the property. This will ensure that the engineer is qualified to work on your home's systems and can therefore be trusted to conduct the safety check. Be aware that a gas engineer can legally disconnect faulty equipment or cut off your gas supply if needed.