Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances chimneys, flues and chimneys are regularly inspected. The law also requires that you give a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer believes that any appliance or installation is immediate danger they will ask permission to shut off the supply of gas and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A landlord's gas safety certificate is an official document that confirms that all gas appliances and flues in the rented property have been inspected by an experienced gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange an annual gas inspection for each rental property that they have at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry out the inspection and check that all pipes, appliances and flues are in compliance with 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. This must be given to tenants in the 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the beginning of their lease.
CP12 is the abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 that was used by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form shows the date of the last gas inspection or test, the results, any actions or issues that need to be addressed, and the name of the engineer who carried out the inspection.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas device and the engineer will give advice on what needs to be done to make it safe for use. If a device is deemed immediately dangerous or abnormally dangerous, the gas supply must be disconnected until the problem is resolved.
If a tenant does not allow access for gas security checks to be conducted the tenant is guilty of an infraction that is punishable by law. If necessary the landlord has the right to ask the courts for a court order to stop the tenant from refusing to allow gas safety inspections. However, it's often easier to send a letter that describes why the check is vital and what is required. This should convince a tenant who is reluctant to give access, and in the event that they do otherwise, the landlord could be required to begin the process of eviction.
How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
The law requires that landlords and letting agents are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on all chimneys and gas appliances that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and there are no gas leaks within the property. This is a crucial obligation and landlords must be sure to have their gas inspections completed by a qualified gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is 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 must also be given to the tenant to verify the safety of gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and needs to 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 penalized by the local authority. 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 documentation in the event that a tenant asks for it.
Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea since it allows engineers to easily access the appliances for their annual inspections. landlord gas safety certificates will categorise the appliance as being at-risk and may recommend that tenants refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords must also provide their tenants with at least 24 hours' notice before entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This gives tenants time to prepare and ask permission, if required. If a tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer access the landlord must inform them the reason for the visit and what happens in the event that they do not comply. If the tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer entry, the landlord may think about evicting the tenant in accordance with section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if you don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal obligation of a landlord to ensure that their property is equipped with an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move in. Failure to do this is an offense that could result in landlords being punished with severe fines. The regulations require that landlords must also furnish copies of gas safety records to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord in order to perform an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will take note of any issues that may present a danger to tenants. gas safety certificate cost will then issue the 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. The document contains information about gas installations in a rental property and the dates they were tested and their expiration dates. It can help tenants spot any issues with the installation or appliances and ensure that they are aware of how to contact a Gas Safe engineer to have them tested.
Landlords must provide the gas safety report to their tenants, both new and current within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. They must also provide a copy the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy starts. Landlords who do not provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted in accordance with the regulations and face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
The same way landlords must make sure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their properties and have them tested every month. The landlord is responsible for repairing any alarm that doesn't work. This is applicable to private landlords, councils and housing associations as well as licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation.
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 based on a law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to have a gas safety certification for their property prior to when tenants move in.
How do I get 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 comply with these regulations, landlords must conduct annual gas inspections on all gas appliances and flues that they install within the property. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, and it has to be completed by a certified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
It's also recommended for landlords to think about having an annual boiler service performed in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, since this will ensure that all gas appliances are working properly and safely. Gas engineers can provide a combined CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable cost. They will inspect the seals on boiler burners as well as look for cracks and leaks in the flue system, clean the heat exchanger, and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes referred to by the term "landlord's gas safety certificate" but it actually is known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of the safety tests, as well as details of any problems or actions that must be taken care of. Landlords must provide their tenants with a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
It is essential that landlords and letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It is essential to inform tenants on the importance of giving gas engineers access to the property. They should explain that the engineer is there to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If a tenant is hesitant to allow access it's the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility clarify the legal obligations in writing. Then follow with a visit to the property to force entry if needed.
Tenants should always ask to be shown a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to letting them in to prove that they are properly qualified to work on your home's gas systems and is able to complete the gas safety check efficiently and efficiently. You should also be aware that a gas engineer is able to legally disconnect the malfunctioning equipment or cut off the gas supply in case of need.