Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure all gas appliances, flues and chimneys undergo annual checks. The law also requires you provide a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer considers that a particular appliance or installation is immediate danger they will ask permission to shut off gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is the definition of 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 checked by an accredited gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange the gas check for each rental property that they have at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and ensure that all pipes, appliances and flues are in compliance with safety regulations.
Landlords are also required by law to provide tenants with copies of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) after each annual gas safety inspection and test. The certificate should be given to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the start of their tenure.
CP12 is an abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 which was used by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form outlines the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their results, any steps that must be taken, and the name and the title of the engineer who performed the check.
The engineer will give advice in the event that the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be addressed so that it is safe for use. If a device is deemed Immediately Dangerous, or Abnormally dangerous, the gas supply must be disconnected until the problem is fixed.
It is illegal for a tenant to refuse to allow the gas safety check to be carried out. If needed landlords can apply to the courts for an order to stop the tenant from preventing gas safety checks. However, it is more common to send a letter which describes why the check is vital and what is required. This should encourage the tenant who is hesitant to let access to the property. If not the landlord is not willing, he will have to begin the eviction process.
How often should I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agencies are required by law to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on all flues and gas appliances that they supply to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and that there aren't gas leaks in the property. This is a crucial responsibility and landlords should make sure that they are inspected for gas by a licensed gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document that affirms that an engineer has completed a gas check within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and should be presented to the tenant to prove the safety of gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months and must be renewed annually.
A landlord who is unable to provide the Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. Gas Safety checks must be performed by landlords on time. They should also keep a copy of the certificate in the event that tenants request it.
Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea, because it lets engineers quickly access the appliances for their annual inspections. The engineer will label the appliance as 'at-risk' and may suggest that the tenant refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords must also give their tenants at least 24 hours' notice prior entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows the tenants to prepare for the visit and give permission if needed. If a tenant does not permit the engineer to enter, the landlord should send a letter to them explaining why the engineer is required and what will happen if they don't comply. If the tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer entry, the landlord can decide to evict the tenant under section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if gas safe installation certificate don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
In essence, it's the landlord's legal responsibility to ensure their property has an approved gas safety certificate before tenants move in. Failing to do so is an offence that can cause landlords to be charged and liable to heavy fines. The regulations state that landlords are required to provide 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 an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will identify any issues that could pose a risk to tenants. They will then issue the CP12 gas safety certificate, which is known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is an important document that every tenant must keep. The document contains information about gas installations in a rental property as well as the date they were tested and expiration dates. It can help tenants identify any issues with the installation or appliances and make sure that they know how to reach a Gas Safe engineer to have them checked.
Landlords must provide the gas safety report to their tenants, current and new within 28 days of the date that the engineer has visited their property. They must also give a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy begins. Landlords who do not provide a copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted in accordance with the regulations and face unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.
Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms. They can also arrange that they be tested each month. If the alarm isn't functioning, the landlord has to make the necessary repairs. The rules around this apply to council, private, and housing association landlords as well as licensable houses of multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In June 2017 In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was unlawful for landlords to send Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official 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 before tenants move into it.
How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that gas appliances, flues, and pipework within the properties they rent out are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 deal with this. To be in compliance with the regulations landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks of all gas appliances and flues they provide for use in the property. This is known as a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, and it has to be signed by a licensed Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to think about having the boiler service completed at the same time as the CP12 inspection, as this will help ensure that all the gas appliances are working correctly and safely. Landlords are usually able to receive a combination CP12 and boiler service at an affordable price from a qualified gas engineer. They will be able to check the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for leaks and cracks cleaning the heat exchanger and burner and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes known as "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it's actually known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of the safety inspections, and specifics about any issues or actions that should be addressed. Landlords must give their tenants 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 is essential to inform tenants on the importance of permitting gas engineers access to the property and explain that the engineer's presence is necessary to safeguard them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to allow access the agent or landlord must explain the legal obligations in writing. They should then visit the property and force entry if necessary.
Tenants should always be shown a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to entering the premises, as this will prove that they're competent to work on the gas systems in your home and can be trusted to complete the gas safety check efficiently and effectively. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally able to shut off any malfunctioning equipment and can shut off your gas supplies if necessary.