Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, chimneys and flues are regularly inspected. You must also give a copy of the report to your tenants.
If the engineer considers an device or installation to be immediately hazardous, they will request permission to disconnect the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches are installed.
What is the definition of a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document which demonstrates that all of the gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange a gas check for each rental property that they own at least once per year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry out the inspection and check that all pipework, appliances and flues conform with safety regulations.
Landlords are also legally required to provide their tenants with copies of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) at the end of each year's gas safety inspection and test. This should be given to tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their tenure.
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 identifies the date of the last gas inspection and tests, the results of these tests, any actions or issues that need to be addressed, and the name of the person who conducted the test.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas appliance, the engineer will advise on what needs to be done to make it safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be Immediately Dangerous or Abnormally Lethal the gas supply must be turned off until the problem is resolved.
It is illegal to a tenant who refuses to allow the gas safety test to be conducted. If necessary the landlord has the right to ask the courts for a court order to stop the tenant from preventing gas safety inspections. However, it's usually easier to send a letter which clarifies why the checks are important and what's required. This should encourage the tenant who is hesitant to allow access to the property. If not the landlord has to start the eviction procedure.
How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agents are required by law to carry out 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 to use and there are no gas leaks in the property. This is an essential obligation and landlords must ensure 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 an inspection of the gas supply has been conducted by a qualified engineer in the last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord, and should be provided to the tenant as proof of the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months and has to be renewed every year.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants with an 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 to keep a copy the certificate in case a tenant needs it.
Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea since it allows engineers to quickly access the appliances for their annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be in danger during an inspection, the engineer will formally declare it to be at risk and may disconnect the boiler and advise that tenants not to use it until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords must also ensure that they give their tenants a minimum of 24 hours notice prior to when they visit the property to carry out Gas Safety checks. This allows tenants to prepare and request permission if needed. If a tenant does not permit the engineer to enter the landlord must send a letter to them explaining why the engineer is required and what happens in the event that they do not comply. If the tenant continues to refuse, then the landlord should look into evicting them pursuant to section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if I don't receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal responsibility of a landlord to make sure that their property is equipped with an official gas safety certificate that is valid before tenants move into. Infractions to the law can lead to a landlord being prosecuted or being fined a significant amount. The regulations also state that landlords must give a copy of the gas safety report to their tenants on request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property of the landlord to conduct a gas inspection on all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will be able to identify any issues that may present a danger for tenants. The engineer will then issue the CP12 Gas Safety Document, which is also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
how much gas safety certificate is a very important document that every tenant must keep. It contains information about the gas appliances in the rental property, as well as details regarding when they last tested and when they expire. It will help tenants recognize issues with their appliances or installations and make sure they are aware of how to contact the Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.
Landlords are required to provide their new and current tenants with a gas safety check report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. They must also provide a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy commences. Landlords who fail to provide a copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted under the rules and could face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange that they be tested every month. If the alarm isn't working, the landlord should fix it. This applies to private landlords, councils and housing associations, as well as licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017 the High Court decided that it was unlawful for landlords to issue Section 21 notices if they did not provide their tenants with a valid gas safety certification. The decision was made based on the law that stipulates that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must obtain a record of their gas safety for their property prior to when tenants move in.
How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that gas appliances, flues and pipework within the properties they rent out are safe. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. In order to comply with these regulations, landlords must organize annual gas inspections of all the gas appliances and flues that they install in the property. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be filled out by a licensed Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It's also a good idea for landlords to look into having an annual boiler service performed in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, as this will ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Landlords are usually able to receive a combination CP12 and boiler service at a reasonable price from a qualified gas engineer, who can check the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for cracks and leaks cleaning the burner and heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 document is commonly referred to as the 'landlord gas safety certificate' although it is officially called the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of safety tests, as well as details of any problems or actions that must be taken care of. Landlords are required to give tenants a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being 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 crucial to educate tenants on the importance of allowing gas engineers access to their property and explain that the engineer's job is to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to permit access the agent or landlord must outline the legal obligations in writing. They should then go to the property and force entry if necessary.
Tenants should always ask to be shown a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before entering the premises, as this will prove that they're competent to work on your home's gas systems and is able to complete the gas safety test efficiently and effectively. It's important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally able to disconnect faulty equipment and cut off your gas supply when necessary.