Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As an owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys undergo annual checks. You should also provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer determines that a particular appliance or installation is immediate danger, they 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 for landlords is an official document that proves that all gas appliances and flues in the property that is rented have been checked by a qualified gas engineer. The landlord must arrange for 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 of the pipework and appliances as well as flues are in good working condition and that they comply with safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) after each annual inspection and test for gas safety. This must be given to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the start of their tenancy.
CP12 is the abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 that was employed 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 required to be taken, as well as the name and title of the engineer that conducted the inspection.
The engineer will offer advice on the spot if the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will include the items that need to be addressed to make it safe to use. If an appliance is deemed dangerous immediately or abnormally dangerous the gas supply needs to be disconnected until the problem is fixed.
It is illegal to a tenant who refuses to let the gas safety inspection to be carried out. If needed, a landlord can ask the courts for a court order to stop the tenant from preventing the gas safety inspections. However, it is more common to send a letter which describes why the check is important and what's required. This should entice a tenant who is reluctant to allow access to the property. If not, the landlord will need to begin the eviction process.
How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agents are required by law to conduct an annual gas safety check on all gas appliances and flues that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and that there aren't gas leaks in the property. Gas inspections are a crucial obligation for landlords, and they must ensure they are carried out by a certified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is a legal document that confirms that an inspection of the gas supply has been conducted by a qualified engineer in the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and should also be given to the tenant in order to demonstrate the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months and has to be renewed annually.
If a landlord fails 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 essential for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out in a timely manner and keep a copy of the certificate in the event that a tenant asks for it.
Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea, as it allows engineers to gain access to the appliances for their annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be in danger during an inspection, the engineer will formally categorise it as such and will shut off the boiler and advise that tenants not to use it until the inspection hatch is installed.
The landlords should also ensure that they provide their tenants with a minimum of 24 hours notice prior to the time they are allowed to enter the property to perform Gas Safety checks. This allows the tenants to prepare for the visit and provide permission if necessary. If a tenant does not allow the engineer access the landlord should inform them the reason for the visit and what will happen if they don't comply. If the tenant does not allow the engineer entry, the landlord could decide to evict the tenant under section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.
What is the consequence if you don't possess a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal obligation of a landlord to ensure that their property is fitted with an official gas safety certificate that is valid before tenants move in. Infractions to this law can result in the landlord being prosecuted or fined severely. The regulations require that landlords must also furnish copies of the gas safety records to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property of the landlord to perform a gas inspection on all gas appliances. During the inspection, a Gas Safe registered engineer will note any problems that could be a threat to tenants. They will issue an CP12 gas safety document, which is known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is a very important document that every tenant should keep. It includes information about the gas installations of a rented property as well as information on when they were last tested and when they expire. It can assist tenants in identifying issues with their appliances and installations and make sure that they are aware of how to contact an Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.
Landlords are required to provide their tenants, both new and existing, with a gas safety check report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. They must also give a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy commences. gas safety certificate uk who fail to provide the copy of the gas certificate can be charged and face unlimited fines or even six months in prison.
The same way, landlords should ensure that carbon monoxide detectors work in their properties and make arrangements for them to be tested every month. The landlord is accountable for repairing the problem if the alarm does not work. The rules around 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 decision 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 when 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 within their properties are safe for tenants. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To comply with these regulations, landlords must conduct annual gas inspections on all the gas appliances and flues that they provide for use in the building. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and it must be completed by a qualified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
It is also recommended for landlords to think about having the boiler service completed in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, since this will help ensure that all the gas appliances are functioning correctly and safely. Landlords are usually able to obtain a combined CP12 and boiler service at an affordable price from a qualified gas engineer, who will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners. They will also inspect the flue system for leaks and cracks cleaning the heat exchanger and burner and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 document is often called the 'landlord's gas safety certificate' but it is actually the Gas Safety Record documentation. It outlines the outcomes of all safety inspections and details of any actions or issues that need to be addressed. Landlords must provide their tenants with a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
It's important that landlords or letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It is essential to inform tenants on the importance of permitting gas engineers access to the property and explain that the engineer is there to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant refuses to allow access the agent or landlord must state the legal requirements in writing. They should then go to the property and force entry if necessary.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to allowing them to enter the property. This will ensure that the engineer has the necessary qualifications to work on your home's systems and therefore be trusted to perform the safety inspection. It's important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally permitted to disconnect faulty equipment and can cut off your gas supplies if necessary.