Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, flues and chimneys undergo annual inspections. The law also requires you provide a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer believes that any installation or appliance is imminently dangerous the engineer will request permission to cut off gas supply and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
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 the gas check for each rental property they own at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and verify that all pipework, appliances and flues are in compliance with safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) at the time of every annual inspection and test for gas safety. The certificate should be provided to tenants within 28 days following the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their tenancy.
CP12 is the abbreviation of 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, the results, any actions that need to be taken, as well as the name and the 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 what needs to be corrected so that it is safe for use. If an appliance is deemed immediately dangerous or abnormally dangerous the gas supply needs to be turned off until the issue is resolved.
It is illegal for a tenant to refuse to allow the gas safety test to be conducted. A landlord can apply to the courts for an injunction order in the event of need, but it is generally more efficient to simply send a well written letter stating the reason why the checks are carried out and what they'll involve. This can make a tenant more hesitant to give access, and in the event that they do otherwise, the landlord could be required to begin the eviction process.
How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
By law, landlords and letting agents are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection of all chimneys and gas appliances that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe to use and that there aren't any gas leaks within the property. This is a vitally important obligation and landlords must be sure to are inspected for gas by a qualified 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 inspection in the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord, and should be provided to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and has to be renewed every year.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants with the Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be fined by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be carried out by landlords on time. They should keep a copy in case tenants request it.
Installing inspection hatches on 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 'at risk' during an inspection, the engineer will formally categorise it as such and will shut off the boiler and recommend that tenants not to use it until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords should also make sure that they provide their tenants with a minimum of 24 hours notice prior to when they visit 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 allow access to the engineer, the landlord must explain the reason for this and what will happen in the event that the tenant refuses. If the tenant does not 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 I don't get a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal responsibility of a landlord to ensure that their property is equipped with an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into. do homeowners need a gas safety certificate to do this is an offence that can lead to landlords being charged and liable to heavy fines. The regulations state that landlords must also furnish copies of gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property of the landlord in order to perform an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, a Gas Safe registered engineer will be able to identify any issues that could pose a risk to tenants. The engineer will then issue an CP12 Gas Safety Document, also known as a 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, including when they were tested as well as their expiration dates. It can help tenants identify issues with their appliances or installations and make sure that 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 inspection report within 28 days of the engineer visiting their property. They must also provide a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy begins. Landlords who fail in providing the copy of the gas certificate can be prosecuted and could face unlimited fines or six months in prison.
The same way landlords must ensure that carbon monoxide detectors work in their homes and have them tested every month. If the alarm isn't working, the landlord must repair it. This applies to councils, private landlords, and housing associations and also licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017 the High Court decided that it was illegal for landlords to issue Section 21 notices if they did not provide their tenants with an official gas safety certificate. The decision was in accordance with the law that states that landlords of assured shorthold tenancies must have a gas safety record for their property prior to the time tenants move into.
How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that gas appliances, flues and pipework in the properties they lease are safe. This is covered under 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 they install within 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.
Landlords should also think about having a boiler inspection done at the same time as an CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Gas engineers can provide a combined CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable price. They will inspect the seals of boiler burners as well as look for leaks and cracks in the flue system and clean the heat exchanger, and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 document is commonly referred to as the 'landlord gas safety certificate', but it is actually the Gas Safety Record documentation. It outlines the outcomes of all the safety checks and the details of any actions or problems that require attention. Landlords must give their tenants 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 access the property for safety checks and maintenance. It's a good idea educate tenants on the importance of allowing access and explain that the gas engineer is there to help keep them safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant refuses to permit access, the landlord or agent must explain the legal obligations 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 prove that the engineer is competent to work with the systems in your home and can therefore be trusted to perform the safety inspection. Be aware that a gas technician can legally shut off the malfunctioning equipment or cut off your gas supply if needed.