Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As an owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys are inspected annually. You must also give a copy of the report to your tenants.
If the engineer considers that a particular appliance or installation is imminently dangerous, they will request permission to shut off gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A landlord gas safety certificate is a document that demonstrates that all of the gas appliances and flues have been checked by a licensed gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange the gas check for each rental property that they have at least once a year. The inspection is performed by a Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all pipes appliances, flues, and pipes are in good working order and that they are in compliance with safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to give tenants 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 provided to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the beginning of their tenure.
CP12 is an abbreviation used for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was used by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form outlines the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their results, any actions that must be taken, and the name and name of the engineer that conducted the inspection.
The engineer will offer advice on the spot if the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will include what needs to be fixed so that it is safe for use. If an appliance is deemed to be immediate danger or Abnormally Lethal the gas supply will need to be shut off until the issue has been resolved.
If a tenant is unwilling to permit access to the gas safety checks to be completed the tenant is guilty of a criminal offence. A landlord may apply to the courts for an injunction in the event of need, but it is generally more efficient to simply send a well worded letter explaining the reason why the checks are made and what they'll involve. This will encourage a reluctant tenant to give access, and if otherwise, the landlord could have to think about starting the process of eviction.
How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
The law requires that landlords and letting agents are required to conduct an annual safety check of all 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 make sure that they get their gas inspections done by a certified gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is an official document that proves that a gas inspection has been conducted by a qualified engineer within the past 12 months. It is given to the landlord and should be given to the tenant as proof of the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and has to be renewed each year.
If a landlord is unable to provide their tenants with the Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be penalized by the local authority. It is therefore vital for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out at a timely basis and to keep a copy the documents in case a tenant needs it.
It's also a good idea for landlords to put inspection hatches on all gas appliances so that the engineers can easily access them for inspections every year. If the appliance is deemed to be 'at risk' during an inspection, the engineer will formally categorise it as such and will shut off the boiler and advise that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords should also make sure that they provide their tenants with a minimum of 24 hours notice prior to the time they visit the property to conduct Gas Safety checks. This will allow tenants to prepare for the visit and grant permission if necessary. If gas safety certificate homeowner refuses the engineer's entry the landlord must explain the reason why it is necessary and what happens should the tenant refuse. If the tenant does not allow the engineer entry, the landlord may decide to evict the tenant under section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if you don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal obligation of landlords to ensure that their property is fitted with a gas safety certificate valid before tenants move into. Failing to do so is an offense that could result in landlords being punished with severe fines. The regulations also stipulate that a landlord must provide an electronic copy of the gas safety certificate to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property for a gas check on all gas appliances. During the inspection, the engineer will note any issues that could present a danger to tenants. how to get gas safety certificate will then issue the CP12 Gas Safety Document, also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is a vital document that every tenant should be able to access and keep. The document contains information about gas installations in a rental home as well as the date they were tested and expiration dates. It will help tenants recognize any issues with the appliances or installation and ensure that they know how to contact an Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords are required to provide their tenants, both new and existing, with a gas safety inspection 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 their tenancy begins. Landlords that fail to provide the the gas certificate could be charged and face unlimited fines or 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 every month. If the alarm isn't working, the landlord should fix it. This is applicable to private landlords, councils and housing associations as well as licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017 In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was illegal for landlords to send Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid gas Safety Certificate. The decision was by reference to the law which stipulates that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must obtain a record of their gas safety for their property prior to the time tenants move into.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that the gas appliances, flues and pipework within their properties are safe for tenants. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To ensure compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues that they install for use in a property. This is known as a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and it must be completed by a qualified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also think about having a boiler inspection done at the same time as the 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 at a reasonable price. They will examine the boiler burner's seals as well as look for cracks and leaks in the flue system, clean the heat exchanger, and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes referred to by the term "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it's actually called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It lists the results of all safety checks and the details of any actions or problems that need to be resolved. Landlords are required to give their tenants the CP12 document no later than 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 visit the property for safety checks and maintenance. It's important to educate tenants on the importance of permitting gas engineers access to their property and explain that the engineer is there to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If a tenant is hesitant to allow access, it's the landlord or letting agent's responsibility to clarify the legal obligations in writing and then follow by visiting the property to force entry if necessary.
Tenants should always ask to be shown a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before entering the premises, as this will prove that they're qualified to work on your home's gas systems and can be trusted to complete the gas safety check efficiently and effectively. It is also important to know that a gas technician can legally disconnect defective equipment or shut off your gas supply if needed.