Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, flues and chimneys are inspected annually. The law also requires that you give a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer deems any appliance or installation to be immediately dangerous they will ask permission to shut off the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches be put in place.
What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A landlord gas safety certificate is a document that demonstrates that the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are legally obliged to conduct a gas safety inspection once per year for each rental property they own. The inspection is carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all of the pipework, appliances, and flues are in good working condition and in compliance with safety regulations.
Landlords are also legally required to give their tenants an original copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) following each annual 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 beginning of their lease.
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, the results, any actions required to be taken, and the name and the title of the engineer that conducted the test.
The engineer will provide advice if the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be fixed to make it safe to use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediately dangerous or abnormally dangerous, the gas supply must be disconnected until the problem has been resolved.
It is illegal to a tenant who refuses to allow the gas safety check to be carried out. A landlord can apply to the courts for an injunction should it be necessary, but it is usually much easier to simply send a well written letter that explains the reason why the checks are made and what they will entail. This should encourage the tenant who is hesitant to allow access to the house. If not the landlord has to begin the eviction process.
How often should I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
In the law, landlords and agents for letting are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on 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 are inspected for gas by a certified gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is an official document that proves that the gas inspection was completed by a qualified engineer in the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and should be provided to the tenant in order to demonstrate the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months and has to be renewed each year.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants with a Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be punished by the local authority. can i get a copy of my gas safe certificate is therefore essential for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out at a timely basis and keep a copy of the documents in case a tenant requests it.
It's also a good idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances to allow engineers to easily access the hatches 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 is installed.
Landlords must also provide their tenants with at least 24 hours' notice prior entering 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 the engineer access the landlord should send a letter to them explaining why it is necessary and what will happen in the event that they do not comply. If the tenant still refuses, 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?
In essence it's the landlord's legal responsibility to ensure their property has an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into. Failure to comply with this law can result in a landlord being prosecuted or fined severely. The regulations also state that landlords must give an electronic copy of the gas safety certificate to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord in order to perform an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During gas safety certificate cp12 , a Gas Safe registered engineer will be able to identify any issues that could pose a danger to tenants. The engineer will issue an 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 should take possession of and keep. This document provides information on gas installations in a rental home as well as the date they were tested and expiration dates. It can help tenants identify issues with their appliances or installations and make sure that they are aware of how to contact the Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.
Landlords must provide the gas safety report to their tenants, both current and new within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. They must also provide a copy the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy starts. Landlords who fail to provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate may be prosecuted under the regulations and could face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange for them to be tested each month. The landlord is accountable for repairing an alarm that does not work. The rules governing 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 illegal for landlords to issue Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid Gas Safety Certificate. The ruling was by reference to the law which states that landlords of assured shorthold tenancies must obtain a record of their gas safety for their property prior to the time tenants move into the property.
How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that gas appliances, flues, and pipework in the properties they rent out are safe. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To be in compliance with these regulations, landlords must arrange annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues that they provide for use within the property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be signed by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to look into having a boiler service carried out simultaneously with the CP12 inspection, since it will help ensure that all the gas appliances are working correctly and safely. Gas engineers can provide a combined CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable cost. They will check the seals of boiler burners as well as look for cracks and leaks in the flue system, clean the heat exchanger, and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 document is often known as the 'landlord's gas safety certificate' however, it is officially referred to as the Gas Safety Record documentation. It includes the results of the safety inspections, and specifics of any issues or actions that should be addressed. Landlords must provide their tenants a CP12 document not later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is 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 is a good idea to inform tenants about the necessity of allowing access, and explain that the gas engineer will help keep them safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If a tenant is hesitant to permit access, it's the landlord or letting agent's responsibility to explain the legal responsibilities in writing and then follow with a visit to the property to compel entry if needed.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to they are allowed to enter the property. This will prove that the engineer has the necessary qualifications to work with your home's systems and therefore be trusted to perform the safety check. It's important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally able to cut off any defective equipment and cut off your gas supplies when necessary.