Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, flues and chimneys undergo annual checks. The law also requires that you give a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer considers an device or installation to be immediately dangerous, they will ask permission to shut off the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches be installed.
What is the definition of a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is an official document that confirms that all gas appliances and flues that are in the property that is rented have been checked by an experienced gas engineer. Landlords must arrange an annual gas inspection for each rental property that they have at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and verify that all pipework, appliances and flues are in compliance with safety standards.
Landlords are also legally required to give their tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) at the end of each year's gas safety inspection and test. The document should be handed out to tenants within 28 days following the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their tenancy.
CP12 is an abbreviation used 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 identifies the date of the last gas inspection or test as well as the results of these tests, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, and the name of the engineer who carried out the test.
The engineer will offer advice on the spot 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 an appliance is deemed to be immediately dangerous or abnormally lethal, the gas supply must be disconnected until the issue is solved.
It is a crime to a tenant who refuses to let the gas safety inspection to be carried out. If necessary the landlord has the right to ask the courts for a court order to prohibit the tenant from preventing the gas safety inspections. However, it is more common to write a letter that clarifies why the checks are essential and what will be required. This should convince a tenant who is reluctant to give access, and in the event that they do not, the landlord might need to consider starting the process of eviction.
How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
In the law, landlords and let agents are required by law to conduct an annual safety check of all gas appliances and chimneys they offer to their tenants. This is to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and that there are no gas leaks within the property. Gas inspections are an essential responsibility for landlords, and they must ensure that they are conducted by a qualified 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 inspection within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord, and should be presented to the tenant to prove the safety of gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and needs to be renewed each year.
A landlord who does not provide the Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. It is therefore vital for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out on time and to keep a copy of the documentation in case a tenant needs it.
It's also a good idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances, so that engineers can easily access them for 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 has been installed.
The landlords should also ensure that they give their tenants at least 24 hours notice prior to when they are allowed to enter the property to conduct Gas Safety checks. This allows the tenants to prepare for the visit and provide permission, if required. If a tenant does not allow the engineer access, the landlord should write to them explaining why the engineer is required and what will happen in the event that they do not comply. If the tenant continues to refuse, then the landlord should look into evicting them pursuant to section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if I don't get a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal responsibility of a landlord to ensure that their property has a gas safety certificate valid prior to the time tenants move into. Failure to adhere to this law can result in a landlord being prosecuted or fined heavily. The regulations stipulate that landlords must also furnish copies of the gas safety records to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to perform an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection, a Gas Safe registered engineer will be able to identify any issues that could pose a risk to tenants. They will then issue an CP12 gas safety certificate, which is known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is a crucial document that every tenant must keep. This document contains information about gas installations in a rental home and the dates they were tested and their expiration dates. It can help tenants identify any issues with the installation or appliances and ensure they know how to contact a Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords are required to provide a gas safety report to their tenants, new and existing, within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. The landlord must also give the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenancy. Landlords who fail to provide a copy of the gas safety certificate may be prosecuted in accordance with the regulations and may be subject to unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.
The same way landlords must ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their homes and arrange for them being checked every month. If the alarm is not working, the landlord must make the necessary repairs. This applies to private landlords, councils and housing associations, as well as licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017 in June 2017, the High Court decided that it was illegal for landlords to issue Section 21 notices if they did not provide their tenants with an official gas safety certificate. The decision was based upon the law that requires landlords with assured shorthold leases to obtain an official gas safety certificate for their property prior to when tenants move in.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
gas safety certificate grace period are legally accountable to ensure that gas appliances, flues, and pipework within the properties they lease out are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 deal with this. To comply with the regulations landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks of all gas appliances and flues they provide to tenants. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and it must be signed by a licensed Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
It is also recommended for landlords to look into having a boiler service carried out in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, as it will help ensure that all gas appliances are working in a safe and efficient manner. Gas engineers can provide a combined CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable price. They will inspect the boiler burner's seals and look for leaks and cracks within the flue system and clean the heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 document is commonly referred to as the 'landlord gas safety certificate' although it is officially called the Gas Safety Record documentation. It outlines the outcomes of all the safety checks and details of any actions or problems that need to be addressed. 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 for maintenance. It's a good idea to inform tenants of the importance of allowing access and explaining that the gas engineer is there to help keep them safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant refuses to permit access, the landlord or agent must explain the legal obligations in writing. Then, they should visit the property and force entry if needed.
Tenants should always be shown a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to letting them in, as this will prove that they're qualified to work on the gas systems in your home and can be trusted to complete the gas safety check efficiently and efficiently. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally allowed to shut off any malfunctioning equipment and can cut off your gas supply if necessary.