Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, chimneys and flues are inspected every year. You should also give a copy of the report to your tenants.
If the engineer determines that any installation or appliance 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 landlord gas safety certificate is a document which demonstrates that all of the gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a certified gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange an annual gas inspection for each rental property that they own at least once a year. The inspection is carried out by an Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all pipes and appliances as well as flues are in good working order and in compliance with the safety regulations.
Landlords are also legally required to provide their tenants with copies of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) after each annual gas safety inspection and test. This should be given to tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their tenure.
CP12 is an abbreviation used for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was employed 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, their results, any steps that must be taken, and the name and name of the engineer that conducted the test.
The engineer will give 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 must be disconnected until the issue is resolved.
If a tenant does not permit access to the gas safety checks to be carried out the tenant is guilty of an offence that is criminal. A landlord can apply to the courts for an injunction should it be necessary, but it is generally easier to send a clearly written letter that explains the reasons why it is crucial that the checks are carried out and what they'll involve. This will convince a tenant who is reluctant to give access, and in the event that they do not, the landlord might be required to begin the process of eviction.
How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
By law, landlords and let agents are required by law to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on the chimneys and gas appliances that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and there are no gas leaks within the property. This is a vitally important responsibility and landlords should ensure that they have their gas inspections completed by a qualified gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is a legal document that confirms that a gas inspection has been conducted by a qualified engineer in the last 12 months. It is given to the landlord and should be handed over to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months and must be renewed each year.
A landlord who is unable to provide an Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. Gas Safety checks must be carried out by landlords on time. They must also keep a copy of the certificate in case tenants ask 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 found to be in danger 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 give tenants at least 24 hours notice before they are allowed to enter the property to carry out Gas Safety checks. This gives tenants time to prepare for the visit and give permission if needed. If a tenant is refusing access to the engineer, the landlord must explain the reason for this and what would happen if the tenant refused. If the tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord can consider evicting the tenant under section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if I don't receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
In short it's a landlord's legal duty to ensure their property has a valid gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move in. Failure to comply with this law can result in the landlord being prosecuted or being fined a significant amount. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must give a copy of the gas safety certificate to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property for an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will take note of any issues that may present a danger to tenants. They will then issue the CP12 gas safety document, which is known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is a very important document that every tenant must keep. It contains information on the gas installations of a rental property, as well as details on when they were last checked and the expiry dates. It can help tenants identify any issues with the appliances or installation and ensure that they know how to reach an Gas Safe engineer to have them tested.
Landlords are required to provide their tenants, both new and existing, with a gas safety inspection report within 28 days of the engineer's visit to their property. They must also provide a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy commences. Landlords who fail in providing the copy of the gas certificate can be charged and face unlimited fines, or six months in prison.
Similar to this landlords must ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their homes and have them checked every month. The landlord is accountable for repairing any alarm that doesn't work. The rules for this are applicable 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 an official gas Safety Certificate. The ruling was based on a law that requires landlords with assured shorthold tenancies to obtain a gas safety certification for their property prior to when tenants move in.
How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally responsible to make sure that the 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 these regulations, landlords must arrange annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues that they install in the property. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate. It must be signed by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
landlord gas safety certificate how often should consider performing a boiler inspection in conjunction with a CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Gas engineers can offer the combination CP12 inspection and boiler service for a reasonable price. They will check the seals of boiler burners, inspect for leaks and cracks in the flue system and clean the heat exchanger, and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 document is often known as the 'landlord's gas safety certificate', but it is actually the Gas Safety Record documentation. It outlines the outcomes of all safety checks and the details of any actions or problems that need to be resolved. Landlords are required to give their tenants a CP12 document within 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is essential that the landlord or letting agent only permit Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises for safety checks and maintenance. It is crucial to educate tenants about the importance of permitting gas engineers access to the property and explain that the engineer's presence is necessary to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If a tenant is hesitant to allow access it's the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility explain the legal responsibilities in writing. Then follow up with a visit to the property to force entry if necessary.
Tenants should always ask to see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before letting them in to prove that they are properly qualified to work on your home's gas systems and are able to complete the gas safety inspection efficiently and effectively. Be aware that a gas engineer is able to legally shut off the malfunctioning equipment or cut off the gas supply in case of need.