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 give a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer deems any appliance or installation to be immediately dangerous they will request permission to disconnect the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches be put in place.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate issued by a landlord is an official document that confirms that all gas appliances and flues within the rented property have been checked by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange a 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 comply with safety regulations.
Landlords are also required by law to provide their tenants with an original copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) after each annual gas safety inspection and test. This should be provided to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the start 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, their results, any steps that need to be taken, and the name and title of the engineer who conducted the check.
The engineer will give advice if the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will include what needs to be addressed so that it is safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediate danger or Abnormally Lethal, the gas supply will need to be disconnected until the issue has been solved.
It is a crime to a tenant who refuses to let the gas safety inspection to be conducted. If necessary landlords can apply to the courts for a court order to enjoin the tenant from preventing the gas safety inspections. However, it's usually easier to send a letter that explains why the checks are essential and what will be involved. This will encourage the tenant who is hesitant to let access to the property. If not the landlord has to initiate the eviction process.
How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agencies are required by law to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on all gas appliances and flues that they supply to tenants. This is done to ensure that the equipment is safe for them to use and that there are no gas leaks in the property. Gas inspections are a vital responsibility for landlords, and they should ensure that they are conducted by a qualified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document which 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 verify the safety of gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months and has to be renewed annually.
A landlord who fails to provide the Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. It is therefore vital for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out at a timely basis 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, since it allows engineers to easily access the appliances for their annual inspections. The engineer will classify the appliance as 'at-risk' and may suggest that the tenant refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords should also make sure that they give their tenants a minimum of 24 hours notice prior to when they are allowed to enter the property to carry out Gas Safety checks. This allows the tenants to prepare for the visit and grant permission, if required. If a tenant refuses access to the engineer, the landlord must explain the reason for this and what will happen should the tenant refuse. If the tenant is still refusing the engineer entry, then the landlord must look into evicting them pursuant to section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if I don't get a Gas Safety Certificate?
In short it is the landlord's legal obligation to ensure that their home has an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into. gas safety certificate cp12 to adhere to this law could result in the landlord being prosecuted or fined heavily. The regulations stipulate that landlords must also furnish copies of gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord to conduct an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will be able to identify any issues that may present a danger to tenants. The engineer will issue the CP12 Gas Safety Document, which is also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is an important document that every tenant must keep. It includes information about the gas installations in a rental property as well as information regarding when they last tested and their expiry dates. It can assist tenants in identifying issues with their appliances and installations and make sure that they know how contact a Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.
Landlords are required to provide their current and new tenants with a gas safety check report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. The landlord must also give the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenure. Landlords who fail in providing the the gas certificate could be prosecuted and face unlimited fines, or six months in prison.
Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms. They can also arrange for them to be tested each month. If the alarm is not functioning, the landlord has to repair it. This is applicable to private landlords, councils and housing associations as well as licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017 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 a valid gas safety certificate. The decision was in accordance with the law that stipulates that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must obtain a record of their gas safety for their property before tenants move into.
How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords have a legal responsibility to make sure that the gas appliances, flues, and pipework in their homes are safe for tenants. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To be in compliance with the regulations landlords must conduct annual gas checks of all gas appliances and flues they provide for use in a property. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and must be signed by a licensed Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
It is also recommended for landlords to consider having a boiler service carried out simultaneously with the CP12 inspection, as it will help ensure that all the gas appliances are operating in a safe and efficient manner. Landlords are usually able to get a combined CP12 and boiler service at a reasonable price from a professional gas engineer. They will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for leaks and cracks, clean the burner and heat exchanger and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 document is commonly called the 'landlord's gas safety certificate', however, it is officially referred to as the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of the safety tests, as well as specifics about any issues or actions that should be taken care of. Landlords are required to give their tenants a CP12 document not later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is essential that landlords or letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers to visit the property to conduct safety checks and for maintenance. It is essential to inform tenants about the importance of allowing gas engineers access to their property and explain that the engineer is there to protect them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to permit access it is the landlord's or letting agent's duty to clarify the legal obligations in writing and then follow by visiting the property to force entry if needed.
Tenants should always see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to they allow them into the home to prove that they are properly qualified to work on your home's gas systems and can be trusted to complete the gas safety inspection efficiently and efficiently. It's important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally permitted to shut off any malfunctioning equipment and cut off your gas supply when necessary.