Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys undergo annual inspections. The law also requires you provide a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer considers that any installation or appliance is immediate danger the engineer will request permission to disconnect gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is the definition of a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that demonstrates that all the gas appliances in the rental property and flues have been inspected by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are legally required to arrange a gas safety check once per year for each rental property they own. The inspection is performed by a Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all of the pipework, appliances, and flues are in good working condition and that they comply with the safety regulations.
Landlords are also legally required to give their tenants an original 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 following the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their lease.
CP12 is the abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 that was used 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, any actions or issues that need to be addressed, as well as the name of the engineer who carried out the check.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas appliance, the engineer will advise on what must be done to ensure its safe use. If an appliance is deemed to be Immediately Dangerous or Abnormally Lethal the gas supply must be shut off until the issue is resolved.
It is illegal to a tenant who refuses to let the gas safety test to be conducted. If needed the landlord has the right to ask the courts for a court order to prohibit the tenant from preventing gas safety checks. However, it is more common to write a letter that describes why the check is vital and what is involved. This should encourage a reluctant tenant to give access, and if not, the landlord might need to consider starting the eviction process.
How often should I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agencies are legally required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on all flues and gas appliances that they provide to tenants. This is done to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and that there are no gas leaks within the property. This is an essential responsibility and landlords should be sure to are inspected for gas by a certified gas 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 by the landlord, and should also be given to the tenant in order to demonstrate the safety of gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months, and must be renewed every year.
A landlord who is unable to provide a Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. It is therefore crucial for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out on time and to keep a copy of the certificate in case a tenant needs it.
Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea since it allows engineers to quickly access the appliances for annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be in danger during an inspection the engineer will categorise it as such and will shut off the boiler and recommend that tenants not to use it until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords should also make sure that they give tenants at least 24 hours notice prior to when they visit the property to carry out Gas Safety checks. This allows tenants to prepare and request permission if they need. If a tenant refuses to permit the engineer to enter the landlord should write to them explaining why it is necessary and what happens in the event that they do not comply. 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 I don't get a Gas Safety Certificate?
In essence it is the landlord's legal obligation to ensure that their home has a valid gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into the property. Failure to do this is an offence that can result in landlords being charged and liable to heavy fines. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must give an electronic copy of the gas safety record to their tenants upon request.
do i need a gas safety certificate must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to perform a gas check on all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will be able to identify any issues that could cause a threat for tenants. They will issue an CP12 gas safety certificate which is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is a crucial document that every tenant should keep. It contains information on the gas installations of a rental property as well as information regarding when they last checked and the expiry dates. It can help tenants spot any issues with the installation or appliances and ensure that they know how to contact a Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords are required to provide their tenants, both new and existing, with a gas safety check report within 28 days of the engineer visiting their property. The landlord must also provide the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenancy. Landlords who fail to provide the copy of the gas certificate may be prosecuted and face unlimited fines, or six months in prison.
In the same way landlords must ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are in operation in their properties and have them checked every month. The landlord is accountable for repairing an alarm that does not work. This applies to private landlords, councils 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 send Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official Gas Safety Certificate. The ruling was based on a law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to obtain an official gas safety certificate for their property before tenants move into it.
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 deal with this. To be in compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas inspections on all gas appliances and flues that they supply for use within the property. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate. It must be completed by a licensed Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also think about conducting a boiler inspection in conjunction with a CP12 inspection. do i need a gas safety certificate will ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Gas engineers can provide the combination CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable cost. 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 document is commonly called the 'landlord's gas safety certificate' however, it is officially referred to as the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of all the safety checks and details of any actions or issues that need to be resolved. Landlords must provide their tenants a CP12 document not later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is crucial that landlords or letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers to access the property for safety checks and maintenance. It is crucial to educate tenants about the importance of giving gas engineers access to the property. They should explain that the engineer is there to safeguard them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant does not permit access the agent or landlord must explain the legal obligations in writing. Then, they should visit the property and force entry if necessary.
Tenants should always have a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to letting them in to ensure that they are properly qualified to work on your home's gas systems and can be trusted to complete the gas safety check efficiently and effectively. Be aware that a gas engineer can legally disconnect faulty equipment or cut off the gas supply in case of need.