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 checks. The law also requires that you give a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer determines that any installation or appliance is imminently dangerous they will ask permission to cut off the supply of gas and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that demonstrates that all of the gas appliances and flues have been examined by a certified 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 out the inspection and check that all pipework, appliances and flues are in compliance with safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to give tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) at the time of each annual inspection and test for gas safety. The document should be handed out to tenants within 28 days following the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their tenancy.
CP12 is an abbreviation used for 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 identifies the date of the last gas inspection or test, the results, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, as well as the name of the person who conducted the check.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas device and the engineer will give advice on what should be done to ensure it is safe for use. If an appliance is deemed Immediately Dangerous, or Abnormally lethal, the gas supply must be disconnected until the problem has been resolved.
If a tenant is unwilling to permit access to the gas safety checks to be completed the tenant is guilty of an infraction that is punishable by law. A landlord can apply to the courts for an injunction order should it be necessary, but it is usually much easier to simply send a well written letter stating the reason why the checks are made and what they will involve. This will encourage a reluctant tenant to give access, and if not, the landlord may be required to begin the process of eviction.
How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agents are required by law to carry out an annual safety check on all flues and gas appliances that they supply to tenants. This is to ensure that the equipment is safe to use and that there are no gas leaks in the property. This is a crucial obligation and landlords must be sure to get their gas inspections done by a qualified 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 given to the tenant as proof of the security of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and needs to be renewed each year.
A landlord who fails to provide a Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. It is therefore essential for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out at a timely basis and to keep a copy of the documents in the event that a tenant asks for it.
It's also a good idea for landlords to install inspection hatches on all gas appliances, so that the engineers can easily access them for inspections every year. If the appliance is found to be at risk during an inspection, the engineer will formally categorise it as such and shut off the boiler and recommend that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch has been installed.
The landlords should also ensure that they give their tenants a minimum of 24 hours notice before they enter the property to carry out Gas Safety checks. This allows tenants to prepare and request permission if they need. If a tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer access the landlord should send a letter to them explaining the reason for the visit and what will happen if they don't follow through. If the tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer entry, the landlord may decide to evict the tenant under section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.
What is how often gas safety certificate if you don't possess a Gas Safety Certificate?
In short, it's the landlord's legal responsibility to ensure their property has a valid gas safety certification prior to the time tenants move in. In the absence of this, it's an offence that can result in landlords being charged and liable to heavy fines. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must give an electronic copy of the gas safety report to their tenants on request.
Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to conduct a gas check on all gas appliances. During the inspection, the engineer will note any issues that may present a danger to tenants. They will then issue a CP12 gas safety certificate which is known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is a very important document that every tenant should keep. It contains information on the gas installations in a rented property, as well as details about when they were last tested and their expiry dates. It will help tenants recognize any issues with the installation or appliances and ensure that they know how to reach an Gas Safe engineer to have them tested.
Landlords must give the gas safety report to their tenants, both new and existing within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. They must also give a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy starts. Landlords who fail to provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate can 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 and can arrange that they be tested each month. If the alarm is not functioning, the landlord has to make the necessary repairs. This is applicable to private landlords, councils and housing associations and also licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017 the High Court ruled that it was unlawful for landlords to serve Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid Gas Safety Certificate. The ruling was based on the law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to obtain a gas safety certification for their property prior to the time 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 in the properties they rent out are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. To comply with the regulations landlords must conduct annual gas checks of all gas appliances and flues that they install for use in a property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate . It must be completed by a licensed Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also consider having a boiler inspection done at the same time as an CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are working properly and safely. Landlords can typically get a combined CP12 and boiler service for an affordable price from a professional gas engineer, who will be able to check the seals on boiler burners, inspect the flue system for cracks and leaks cleaning the burner and heat exchanger and conduct general maintenance.
The CP12 document is often referred to as the 'landlord gas safety certificate ' however, it is officially referred to as the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of all safety inspections and details of any actions or problems that need to be resolved. Landlords must provide their tenants with a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
It's important that the landlord or letting agent only allow Gas Safe registered engineers to access the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It is a good idea to educate tenants on the necessity of allowing access, and explaining that the gas engineer is there to help keep them safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant refuses to permit access the agent or landlord must explain the legal obligations in writing. They should then visit the property and force entry if required.
Tenants must always request to have a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to they allow them into the home, as this will prove that they're competent to work on your home's gas systems and can be trusted to complete the gas safety test efficiently and effectively. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally allowed to disconnect faulty equipment and cut off your gas supplies when necessary.