Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys undergo annual inspections. You should also give a copy of the report to your tenants.
If the engineer considers that a particular appliance or installation is immediately dangerous, they will request permission to shut off 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 which demonstrates that the gas appliances and flues have been checked by a qualified gas engineer. The landlord must arrange for a gas check for each rental property they have at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and verify that all pipework, appliances and flues comply 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 each annual inspection and test for gas safety. This should be given to tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their tenancy.
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 contains the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, the results, any actions required to be taken, and the name and the title of the engineer who performed the test.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas device and the engineer will give advice on what must be done to ensure it is safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediately dangerous or abnormally dangerous the gas supply needs to be shut off until the issue has been resolved.
It is illegal to a tenant who refuses to allow the gas safety inspection to be carried out. A landlord can ask the courts for an injunction order in the event of need, but it is generally more efficient to send a clearly worded letter explaining the reason why the checks are conducted and what they will entail. This will convince a tenant who is reluctant to give access, and in the event that they do otherwise, the landlord could be required to begin the eviction process.
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 on 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 gas leaks within the property. This is a crucial responsibility for landlords and they should ensure that they get their gas inspections done by a licensed 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 check within the last 12 months. It is given to the landlord and must be given to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months and has to be renewed annually.
A landlord who is unable to provide a Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. Gas Safety checks must be completed by landlords in time. They must also keep a copy in case tenants ask for it.
It is also an excellent idea for landlords to install inspection hatches on all gas appliances, to allow engineers to easily access them for inspections every year. If the appliance is deemed to be at risk during an inspection the engineer will categorise it as such and shut off the boiler and suggest that tenants not to use it until the inspection hatch is installed.
The landlords should also ensure that they provide their tenants with a minimum of 24 hours notice prior to when they visit the property to perform Gas Safety checks. This gives tenants time to prepare and request permission if needed. 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 still refuses then the landlord should consider evicting them using section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if you don't own a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal obligation of a landlord to make sure that their property has an approved gas safety certificate before tenants move into. Failure to comply with this law could result in the landlord being prosecuted or fined heavily. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must give a copy of the gas safety report to their tenants on request.
Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to perform a gas check on all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will take note of any issues that may pose a risk to tenants. The engineer will issue a CP12 Gas Safety Document, which is also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is a vital piece of documentation that all tenants should take possession of and keep. This document provides information on gas installations in a rental property, including when they were tested as well as their expiration dates. It can help tenants spot any issues with their installation or appliances and ensure they are aware of how to reach an Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords are required to provide their new and current tenants with a gas safety inspection report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. The landlord must also give a copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenure. Landlords who fail in providing the copy of the gas certificate can be charged and face unlimited fines or even six months in prison.
In the same way, landlords must make sure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms. They can also arrange for them to be tested each month. The landlord is responsible for fixing any alarm that doesn't work. This applies to private landlords, councils and housing associations, as well as licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.
In what is a landlord gas safety certificate , 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 decision was based upon the law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to have a gas safety certification for their property prior to the time tenants move in.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally responsible for ensuring that gas appliances, flues, and pipework in the properties they rent out are safe. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To comply with the regulations, landlords are required to arrange annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues that they provide for use within the property. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and it must be signed by a licensed Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also consider performing a boiler inspection in conjunction with an CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Gas engineers can offer a combined CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable price. They will check the boiler burner's seals, inspect for leaks and cracks in the flue system and clean the heat exchanger, and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 document is commonly known as the 'landlord's gas safety certificate' however, it is officially referred to as the Gas Safety Record documentation. It includes the results of the safety inspections, and specifics of any issues or actions that must be taken care of. Landlords are required to give their tenants the CP12 document within 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is essential that the landlords or letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises to conduct safety checks and for maintenance. It is crucial to educate tenants on the importance of giving gas engineers access to their property and explain that the engineer's presence is necessary to safeguard them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to permit access the agent or landlord must explain the legal obligations in writing. Then, they should visit the property and force entry if required.
Tenants should always ask to be shown a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to letting them in, as this will prove that they're competent to work on your home's gas systems and can be trusted to complete the gas safety check efficiently and efficiently. Be aware that a gas technician can legally shut off the malfunctioning equipment or cut off the gas supply in case of need.