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. The law also requires you provide a copy the check to your tenants.
If the engineer considers that any installation or appliance is imminently dangerous the engineer will request permission to shut off the supply of gas and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate issued by a landlord is an official document that certifies that all gas appliances and flues that are in the rental property were inspected by a qualified 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 pipes, appliances and flues comply with safety regulations.
Landlords are also required by law to provide their tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) after each annual gas safety inspection and test. how long does a gas safety certificate last should be given to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the beginning 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 it was replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form contains the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their results, any actions that must be taken, and the name and the title of the engineer who performed the inspection.
The engineer will give advice in the event that the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be addressed in order to ensure it is safe to use. If an appliance is deemed to be Immediately Dangerous or abnormally lethal, the gas supply will have to be shut off until the issue has been fixed.
It is a crime to a tenant who refuses to allow the gas safety inspection to be carried out. A landlord can ask the courts for an injunction should it be necessary, but it is usually much easier to send a clearly worded letter explaining the reason why the checks are conducted and what they'll involve. This should encourage a reluctant tenant to allow access and, if not, the landlord may be required to begin the eviction process.
How often should I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
In the law, landlords and letting agents are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on the chimneys and gas appliances they offer to their tenants. This is done to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and that there are no gas leaks in the building. This is an essential 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 a legal document that confirms that the gas inspection was conducted by a qualified engineer within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord, and should be provided to the tenant in order to demonstrate the safety of gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months, and must be renewed each year.
If a landlord does not provide their tenants with the Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be punished 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 certificate in case a tenant needs it.
It is also an excellent idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances, to allow engineers to easily access them for annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be at risk during an inspection, the engineer will formally categorise it as such and may disconnect the boiler and recommend that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords must also ensure that they provide their tenants with at least 24 hours notice prior to when they are allowed to enter the property to perform Gas Safety checks. This allows tenants time to plan their inspection and request permission if needed. If a tenant does not permit the engineer to enter, the landlord should inform them the reason for the visit and what will happen if they don't follow through. If the tenant still refuses then the landlord should think about evicting them under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if I don't receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal responsibility of a landlord to make sure that their property is fitted with an official gas safety certificate that is valid prior to the time tenants move in. In the absence of this, it's an offense that could cause landlords to be prosecuted and subject to severe fines. The regulations state that landlords must also provide copies of gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to perform an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will be able to identify any issues that may pose a risk to tenants. The engineer will issue a CP12 Gas Safety Document, also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is a crucial piece of documentation that every tenant must take possession of and keep. It includes information about the gas installations in a rented property and also details on when they were last tested and their expiry dates. It will help tenants recognize any issues with the installation or appliances and ensure that they are aware of how to reach an Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords are required to provide their current and new tenants with a gas safety check report within 28 days of the engineer visiting their property. The landlord must also provide an original copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenure. Landlords that fail to provide the the gas certificate could be prosecuted 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 should also arrange that they be tested each month. The landlord is accountable for repairing the problem if the alarm does not work. This is applicable to councils, private landlords, and housing associations, as well as licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.
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 decision was made based on the law that stipulates that landlords with assured shorthold leases must have an approved gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move in.
How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework in the homes they lease are safe. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To comply with these regulations, landlords must organize annual gas inspections of all the 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 filled out by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It is also a good idea for landlords to consider having an annual boiler service performed at the same time as the CP12 inspection, as this will ensure that all gas appliances are operating correctly and safely. Landlords can usually obtain a combined CP12 and boiler service for a reasonable price from a qualified gas engineer. They will be able to check the seals on boiler burners. They will also inspect the flue system for leaks and cracks as well as clean the heat exchanger and burner and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 document is often referred to as the 'landlord gas safety certificate' however, it is officially referred to as the Gas Safety Record documentation. It outlines the outcomes of all safety checks and details of any actions or issues that require attention. Landlords must provide their tenants with a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
It is important that landlords and letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property for safety inspections and maintenance. It's a good idea to educate tenants on the necessity of allowing access, and explain that the gas engineer is there to help keep them safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to allow access, the landlord or agent must state the legal requirements in writing. They should then visit the property and force entry if required.
Tenants must always request to see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before they allow them into the home to ensure that they're competent to work on the gas systems in your home and is able to complete the gas safety test efficiently and effectively. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally allowed to disconnect faulty equipment and can cut off your gas supply if necessary.