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. You should also give a copy of the report to your tenants.
If the engineer determines that any installation or appliance is immediate danger, they will request permission to disconnect the supply of gas and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is 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 within the rented property were inspected by an experienced gas engineer. Landlords are legally obliged to organize a gas safety check annually for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry out the inspection and check that all pipework, appliances and flues conform with safety standards.
Landlords are also required by law to provide tenants with copies 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 given to tenants in the 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the beginning of their lease.
CP12 is the abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 that was employed by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form includes the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, the results, any actions that need to be taken, as well as the name and the title of the engineer who conducted the test.
The engineer will offer advice if the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will include what needs to be fixed to make it safe to use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediate danger or abnormally lethal, the gas supply will have to be turned off until the problem is fixed.
It is illegal for a tenant to refuse to let the gas safety check to be conducted. If needed, a landlord can ask the courts for an order to stop the tenant from preventing the gas safety checks. However, it is more common to write a letter that clarifies why the checks are vital and what is required. This will encourage a tenant who is reluctant to let access to the property. If not, the landlord will need to begin the eviction process.
How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
By law, landlords and let agents are required by law to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on all gas appliances and chimneys they offer to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe to use and that there aren't leaks of gas in the property. This is a vitally important obligation and landlords must be sure to get their gas inspections done by a qualified gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document which affirms that an engineer has completed a gas check 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 a period of 12 months and must be renewed annually.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants with a Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be penalized by the local authority. It is therefore crucial for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out in a timely manner and to keep a copy of the documentation in case a tenant requests it.
It is also a good idea for landlords to install inspection hatches on all gas appliances so that engineers can easily access them for annual inspections. The engineer will classify the appliance as being at-risk and may suggest that tenants refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords are also required to give tenants at least 24 hours' notice prior entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows the tenants to prepare for the visit and give permission, if required. If a tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord should inform them the reason for the visit and what happens if they don't follow through. If the tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer entry, the landlord may consider evicting the tenant under section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if you don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
In essence, it is the landlord's legal obligation to ensure their property has a valid gas safety certificate before tenants move in. Failing to do so is an offence that can cause landlords to be charged and liable to heavy fines. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must give an electronic copy of the gas safety certificate to their tenants on request.
Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property for a gas check on all gas appliances. During the inspection, a Gas Safe registered engineer will note any problems that could pose a risk to tenants. They will issue a CP12 gas safety certificate that 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 includes information about the gas installations in a rented property and also details regarding when they last checked and the expiry dates. It will help tenants recognize issues with their appliances or installations and make sure they are aware of how to contact an Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.
Landlords are required to provide their tenants, both new and existing, with a gas safety report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. They must also provide a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy starts. Landlords who do not provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted under the rules and may be subject to unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.
In the same way landlords must make sure that carbon monoxide detectors are in operation in their properties and have them tested each month. If the alarm is not functioning, the landlord has to fix it. This is applicable to councils, private landlords, and housing associations as well as licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.
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 decision was based on the law that states that landlords of assured shorthold tenancies must have a gas safety record for their property prior to the time tenants move into.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework in the homes they lease are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 regulate this. In order to comply with the regulations, landlords are required to arrange annual gas checks on all the gas appliances and flues that they install in the building. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate. It must be filled out by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also think about performing a boiler inspection in conjunction with the CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Landlords are usually able to receive a combination CP12 and boiler service at an affordable price from a qualified gas engineer, who will be able to check the seals on boiler burners. They will also inspect the flue system for leaks and cracks, clean the burner and heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 document is commonly called the 'landlord's gas safety certificate', but it is actually the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of the safety inspections, and specifics about any issues or actions that must be taken care of. Landlords are required to give their tenants the CP12 document no later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is crucial that the landlord or letting agent only allow Gas Safe registered engineers to access the property for safety checks and maintenance. how long does a gas safety certificate last is essential to inform tenants about the importance of giving gas engineers access to the property and explain that the engineer's presence is necessary to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant does not permit access the agent or landlord must explain the legal obligations in writing. They should then visit the property and force entry if necessary.
Tenants should always be shown a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before letting them in, as this will prove that they're competent to work on your home's gas systems and are able to complete the gas safety inspection efficiently and efficiently. Be aware that a gas engineer can legally disconnect the malfunctioning equipment or cut off the gas supply in case of need.