Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances chimneys, flues and chimneys are inspected every year. You must also give a copy of the report to your tenants.
If the engineer believes that any appliance or installation is immediately dangerous the engineer will request permission to disconnect gas supply and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate issued by a landlord is an official document that proves that all gas appliances and flues that are in the property that is rented have been inspected by an experienced gas engineer. Landlords are legally required to conduct a gas safety inspection once per year for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry out the inspection and check that all pipework, appliances and flues comply with safety standards.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) after each annual inspection and test for gas safety. This should be provided to tenants in the 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the start of their tenancy.
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 contains 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 name of the engineer who conducted the check.
The engineer will offer advice in the event that the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will include the items that need to be fixed to make it safe to use. If an appliance is deemed Immediately Dangerous, or Abnormally lethal the gas supply needs to be turned off until the issue has been resolved.
It is a crime for a tenant to refuse to allow the gas safety check to be carried out. If needed landlords can apply to the courts for a court order to enjoin the tenant from refusing to allow gas safety checks. However, it is more common to send a letter which describes why the check is vital and what is involved. This should encourage tenants who are hesitant to let access to the property. If not the landlord has to begin the eviction process.
How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agents are legally required to conduct an annual safety check on all gas appliances and flues that are supplied to 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 an essential 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 that confirms that an engineer has completed a gas inspection in the last 12 months. It is given to the landlord and must be provided to the tenant to prove the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months, and must be renewed each year.
A landlord who fails to provide a Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. It is therefore vital for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out on time and to keep a copy the certificate in the event that a tenant asks for it.
It is also a good idea for landlords to put inspection hatches on all gas appliances, to allow engineers to easily access the hatches for annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be at risk during an inspection the engineer will classify it as such and may disconnect the boiler and suggest that tenants not to use it until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords are also required to give tenants at least 24 hours' notice prior to entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This gives tenants time to prepare for the visit and grant permission, if required. If a tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry the landlord should send a letter to them explaining why it is necessary and what will happen if they don't comply. If the tenant is still refusing, then the landlord should think about evicting them under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What is the consequence if you don't possess a Gas Safety Certificate?
In short it's a landlord's legal duty to ensure that their property is equipped with an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into the property. Failure to do this is an offense that could cause landlords to be punished with severe fines. The regulations also state that landlords must provide an original copy of their gas safety certificate to their tenants on request.
Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to conduct a gas check on all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will be able to identify any issues that could be a threat to tenants. They will then issue an CP12 gas safety certificate that is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is a vital document that all tenants should be able to access and keep. This document contains information about gas installations in a rental property, including when they were tested as well as their expiration dates. It will help tenants recognize any issues with their appliances or installations and ensure they know how to contact a Gas Safe engineer to have them checked.
Landlords are required to provide their current and new tenants with a gas safety check report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. They must also give a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy commences. 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.
Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange for them to be tested each month. If the alarm isn't working, the landlord must fix it. The rules around this apply to council, private and housing association landlords and also to licensable houses of multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was unlawful for landlords to issue Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid gas Safety Certificate. The ruling was based on the law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to have an official gas safety certificate for their property prior to when tenants move in.
How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are required by law to ensure that the gas appliances, flues and pipework within their properties are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 deal with this. To comply with the regulations, landlords are required to organize annual gas inspections of all the gas appliances and flues that they supply for use in the building. how to get gas safety certificate is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and must be completed by a qualified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also consider having a boiler inspection done in conjunction with an CP12 inspection. This will ensure that the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Landlords can typically receive a combination CP12 and boiler service at a reasonable price from a professional gas engineer who can check the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for leaks and cracks, clean the burner and heat exchanger and perform 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 outlines the outcomes of all safety inspections and the details of any actions or issues that need to 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 or letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises to conduct safety checks and for maintenance. It is a good idea to inform tenants about the importance of allowing access and explain that the gas engineer is there to help keep them safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant refuses to allow access, the landlord or agent must outline the legal obligations in writing. Then, they should visit the property and force entry if needed.
Tenants should always ask to see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before letting them in to ensure that they're competent to work on your home's gas systems and are able to complete the gas safety check efficiently and effectively. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally allowed to cut off any defective equipment and can shut off gas lines if necessary.