Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances as well as chimneys and flues are regularly inspected. The law also requires you give a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer determines that a particular appliance or installation is imminently dangerous they will ask permission to cut off gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate issued by a landlord is an official document that proves that all gas appliances and flues within the property that is rented were inspected by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords must arrange an annual gas inspection for each rental property they have at least once a year. The inspection is carried out by an Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all pipes appliances, flues, and pipes are in good working condition and in compliance with the safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record), following every annual inspection and test for gas safety. The certificate should be provided to tenants within 28 days after the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their lease.
CP12 is the abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 that was used by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form includes the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their results, any actions that need to be taken, as well as the name and name of the engineer who conducted the test.
The engineer will give advice if the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be addressed in order to ensure it is safe to use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediately dangerous or Abnormally Lethal the gas supply will have to be turned off until the problem is resolved.
It is illegal for a tenant to refuse to let the gas safety test to be carried out. If needed, a landlord can ask the courts for an order to enjoin the tenant from refusing to allow gas safety inspections. However, it is often easier to send a letter that explains why the checks are important and what's involved. This can convince a tenant who is reluctant to give access, and if not, the landlord may be required to begin the process of eviction.
How often should I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
By law, landlords and letting agents are required to conduct an annual safety check of all chimneys and gas appliances that they provide to their tenants. This is done to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks in the property. gas safety certificate what is checked is a crucial responsibility for landlords and they should be sure to get their gas inspections done by a qualified gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document which indicates that an engineer completed a gas check within the last 12 months. It is given to the landlord, and should be handed over to the tenant as proof of the security of the 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 fined. It is therefore crucial for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out in a timely manner and to keep a copy the certificate in case a tenant requests it.
Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea because it lets engineers quickly access the appliances for their annual inspections. The engineer will classify the appliance as 'at-risk' and may suggest that tenants refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords must also provide their tenants with at least 24 hours' notice prior to entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows the tenants to prepare for the visit and give permission if necessary. If a tenant does not allow the engineer access the landlord should write to them explaining why it is necessary and what will happen if they don't comply. If the tenant still refuses then the landlord should consider evicting them using section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if I don't receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal obligation of a landlord to make sure that their property has an approved gas safety certificate before tenants move in. Failing to do so is an offence that can lead to landlords being prosecuted and subject to severe fines. The regulations state that landlords must also furnish copies of gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property for an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will take note of any issues that may cause a threat to tenants. They will issue a CP12 gas safety document, which is known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is an important document that every tenant should keep. This document provides information on gas installations in a rental property as well as the date they were tested as well as their expiration dates. It will help tenants recognize issues with their appliances and installations and ensure that they know how to contact the Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.
Landlords are required to provide their new and current tenants with a gas safety report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. The landlord must also give a copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenure. Landlords who fail to provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate can be prosecuted in accordance with the regulations and could face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
In the same way, landlords must make sure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms. They should also arrange that they be tested every 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 serve Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid gas Safety Certificate. The ruling was based on a law that requires landlords with assured shorthold tenancies to have a gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move into it.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are required by law to ensure that gas appliances, flues, and pipework within their properties are safe for tenants. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. In order to comply with the regulations, landlords are required to organize annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues that they supply for use in the building. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate and it must be filled out by a licensed Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also think about performing a boiler inspection simultaneously with the CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are working 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 check the seals on boiler burners. They will also inspect the flue system for cracks and leaks, clean the heat exchanger and burner and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes called "landlord's gas safety certificate" but it's actually known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It includes the results of the safety inspections, and specifics of any issues or actions that must be addressed. Landlords are required to provide their tenants a CP12 document not later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is crucial that the landlord or letting agent only allow Gas Safe registered engineers to visit the property to conduct safety checks and for maintenance. It is essential to inform tenants about the importance of allowing gas engineers access to their property and explain that the engineer is there to protect them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is reluctant to let access in, it's the landlord or letting agent's responsibility clarify the legal obligations in writing. Then follow up with a visit to the property to compel entry if needed.
Tenants must always request to have a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before letting them in to prove that they're competent to work on the gas systems in your home and are able to complete the gas safety inspection efficiently and efficiently. It is also important to know that a gas technician can legally shut off the malfunctioning equipment or cut off your gas supply should it be required.
