Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, flues and chimneys are inspected annually. The law also requires that you provide a copy the check to your tenants.
If the engineer determines that an appliance or installation to be immediately dangerous they will request permission to shut off the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches be installed.
What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate issued by a landlord is an official document that confirms that all gas appliances and flues in the rental property were inspected by an accredited gas engineer. Landlords must arrange a gas check for each rental property that they have at least once a year. The inspection is conducted by an Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all pipes appliances, flues, and pipes are in good working condition and that they are in compliance with the safety regulations.
Landlords are also required by law to provide their tenants with 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 given to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the beginning of their lease.
CP12 is an abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was used by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before it was replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form shows the date of the last gas inspection or test, the results of these tests, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, as well as the name of the person who conducted the check.
The engineer will give advice if the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be fixed to make it safe to use. If a device is deemed Immediately Dangerous, or Abnormally lethal the gas supply needs to be disconnected until the problem is fixed.
It is illegal for a tenant to refuse to allow the gas safety inspection to be carried out. If necessary the landlord has the right to ask the courts for a court order to enjoin the tenant from refusing to allow gas safety inspections. However, it is usually easier to send a letter that explains why the checks are vital and what is required. This should encourage a tenant who is reluctant to allow access to the property. If not the landlord is not willing, he will have to begin the eviction process.
How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agents are required by law to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on all flues and gas appliances that they supply to 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 an essential obligation and landlords must be sure to have their gas inspections completed by a qualified gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document that indicates that an engineer completed a gas check within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and should be presented to the tenant in order to demonstrate the security of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months, and has to be renewed each year.
A landlord who is unable to provide an Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. It is therefore essential for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out at a timely basis and to keep a copy the certificate in the event that a tenant asks for it.
Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea since it allows engineers to quickly access the appliances to conduct annual inspections. The engineer will categorise the appliance as being at-risk and may recommend that the tenant refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.
The landlords should also ensure that they give tenants at least 24 hours notice before they enter the property to conduct Gas Safety checks. This gives tenants time to plan their inspection and request permission, if required. If a tenant does not allow access to the engineer, the landlord must explain why this is necessary and what happens should the tenant refuse. If the tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord may think about evicting the tenant in accordance with section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if I don't receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal responsibility of landlords to ensure that their property is equipped with a gas safety certificate valid prior to the time tenants move into. Failure to comply with the law can lead to the landlord being prosecuted or fined severely. The regulations state that landlords must also furnish copies of the gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property for a gas check on all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will identify any issues that could pose a risk to tenants. They will then issue an CP12 gas safety document, which is known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is a vital document that every tenant should be able to access and keep. This document contains information about gas installations in a rental property and the dates they were tested and their expiration dates. It can help tenants spot any issues with the installation or appliances and ensure they are aware of how to contact an Gas Safe engineer to have them checked.
Landlords are required to provide their current and new tenants with a gas safety report within 28 days of the engineer's visit to their property. The landlord must also provide an original copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenancy. Landlords who fail to provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate may be prosecuted under the regulations and may be subject to unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms. They should also arrange for them to be tested every month. The landlord is accountable for repairing any alarm that doesn't work. The rules around this apply to private, council and housing association landlords, as well as to licensable houses of multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In June 2017 in June 2017, the High Court decided that it was unlawful for landlords to issue Section 21 notices if they did not provide their tenants with a valid gas safety certificate. The ruling was based on the law that stipulates that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must obtain an approved gas safety certificate for their property prior to when tenants move in.
How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords have a legal responsibility to make sure that the gas appliances, flues and pipework in their properties are safe for tenants. gas safety certificate duplicate (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. To comply with these regulations, landlords must arrange annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues that they supply for use in the property. This is known as a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and it must be completed by a certified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also think about having a boiler inspection done in conjunction with an CP12 inspection. This will ensure that the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Landlords are usually able to receive a combination CP12 and boiler service for an affordable price from a qualified gas engineer, who will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners. They will also inspect the flue system for leaks and cracks cleaning the burner and heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 document is commonly referred to as the 'landlord gas safety certificate', but it is actually the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of all the safety checks and the details of any actions or problems that need to be resolved. Landlords are required to give tenants a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
It is essential that landlords and letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It's a good idea educate tenants on the necessity of allowing access, and explaining that the gas engineer will ensure they are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant does not permit access, the landlord or agent must explain the legal obligations in writing. They should then visit the property and force entry if necessary.
Tenants should always see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to they allow them into the home to ensure that they are properly qualified to work on the gas systems in your home and are able to complete the gas safety check efficiently and efficiently. Be aware that a gas engineer is able to legally remove defective equipment or shut off your gas supply if needed.