Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As an owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, flues and chimneys undergo annual inspections. It is also your responsibility to provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer believes that any appliance or installation is immediately dangerous they will ask permission to disconnect gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that proves that all of the gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a licensed gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange a gas check for each rental property they own at least once per year. The inspection is conducted by an Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all pipework, appliances, and flues are in good working order and that they are in compliance with safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) after each 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 start of their tenancy.
CP12 is the abbreviation of 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 person who performed the inspection.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas appliance the engineer will provide advice on what should be done to ensure it is safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediately dangerous or abnormally dangerous, the gas supply must be shut off until the issue has been resolved.
It is a crime for a tenant to refuse to allow the gas safety test to be carried out. If necessary landlords can apply to the courts for a court order to prohibit the tenant from refusing to allow gas safety checks. However, it is more common to send a letter that clarifies why the checks are vital and what is involved. This should make a tenant more hesitant to give access, and if not, the landlord might need to consider starting the process of eviction.
How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
The landlords and letting agencies are legally required to conduct an annual gas safety check on all flues and gas appliances 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 within the property. This is an essential responsibility and landlords should make sure that they have their gas inspections completed by a licensed gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document that indicates that an engineer completed a gas inspection in the last 12 months. It is given to the landlord, and should be provided to the tenant as proof of the security of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and needs to be renewed every year.
If a landlord is unable to provide their tenants with an Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be penalized by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be completed by landlords in time. They must also keep a copy in case tenants request it.
Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea, because it lets engineers gain access to the appliances for annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be in danger during an inspection, the engineer will formally classify it as such and will shut off the boiler and advise that tenants not to use it until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords must also give tenants at least 24 hours' notice prior entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This gives tenants time to plan their inspection and request permission if they need. If a tenant does not allow the engineer's entry, the landlord must explain why this is necessary and what happens should the tenant refuse. If the tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer entry, the landlord can consider evicting the tenant under section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if you don't own a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal responsibility of a landlord to ensure that their property is fitted with a gas safety certificate valid before tenants move into. Infractions to this law could result in the landlord being charged or being fined a significant amount. The regulations stipulate that landlords must also furnish copies of the gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property for an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During gas safety certificate duplicate will be able to identify any issues that could cause a threat for tenants. They will issue a CP12 gas safety certificate, that is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is an important document that every tenant should keep. It includes information about the gas installations of a rental property as well as information on when they were last checked and the expiry dates. It can help tenants identify any issues with their installation or appliances and ensure that they are aware of how to contact a Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords must give the gas safety report to their tenants, both new and existing within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. The landlord must also provide a copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords who fail to provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate can be prosecuted under the regulations and face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
In the same way landlords must make sure that carbon monoxide detectors work in their homes and arrange for them being tested every month. If the alarm isn't working, the landlord should fix it. This applies to private landlords, councils and housing associations and also licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was illegal for landlords to serve Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid Gas Safety Certificate. The decision was based upon the law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold leases to obtain a gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move in.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that gas appliances, flues, and pipework in the properties they lease out are safe. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To ensure compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks of all gas appliances and flues they supply to tenants. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate and it must be filled out by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also consider conducting a boiler inspection at the same time as a CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are working properly and safely. Gas engineers can offer an integrated CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable cost. They will inspect the seals of boiler burners, inspect for leaks and cracks in the flue system and clean the heat exchanger, and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes called "landlord's gas safety certificate" but it is actually known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It lists the results of all safety inspections and details of any actions or issues that need to be resolved. Landlords are required to give their tenants a CP12 document no later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is crucial that the landlord or letting agent only allow Gas Safe registered engineers to visit the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It's a good idea to inform tenants about the importance of allowing access and explaining that the gas engineer is there to ensure they are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If a tenant is hesitant to permit access, it's the landlord or letting agent's responsibility to explain the legal responsibilities in writing, and follow by visiting the property to compel entry if needed.
Tenants must always request to be shown a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before they allow them into the home to prove that they're qualified to work on the gas systems in your home and are able to complete the gas safety inspection efficiently and efficiently. You should also be aware that a gas technician can legally shut off faulty equipment or cut off your gas supply if needed.