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. You should also provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer believes that any appliance or installation is immediate danger, they will request permission to cut off the supply of gas and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that demonstrates that the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a licensed gas engineer. The landlord must arrange for an annual gas inspection for each rental property that they own at least once a year. The inspection is carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all pipes and appliances as well as flues are in good working order and in compliance with safety standards.
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. The document should be handed out to tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their tenancy.
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 contains the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their results, any actions that need to be taken, as well as the name and name of the engineer who conducted the test.
The engineer will offer advice on the spot if the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will include the items that need to be fixed to make it safe to use. If a device is deemed dangerous immediately or abnormally dangerous, the gas supply must be disconnected until the problem has been resolved.
It is a crime for a tenant to refuse to let the gas safety check to be carried out. If necessary, a landlord can ask the courts for a court order to prohibit the tenant from preventing the gas safety checks. However, it is often easier to send a letter that describes why the check is vital and what is involved. check it out should encourage a reluctant tenant to give access, and in the event that they do otherwise, the landlord could need to consider starting the process of eviction.
How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
In the law, landlords and agents for letting are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on the chimneys and gas appliances they offer to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and that there aren't any gas leaks within the property. This is a vitally important responsibility and landlords should make sure that they get their gas inspections done by a licensed gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is an official document that proves that the gas inspection was completed by a qualified engineer within the past 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and must also be given to the tenant in order to demonstrate the safety of gas supply. It is valid for 12 months, and has to be renewed every year.
If a landlord does not 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 performed by landlords on time. They should also keep a copy in the event that tenants request it.
Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea, as it allows engineers to gain access to the appliances to conduct 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 suggest that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords are also required to provide their tenants with at least 24 hours' notice prior to entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows tenants time to prepare and request permission if they need. If a tenant is refusing entry to the engineer, the landlord must explain the reason why it is necessary and what happens should the tenant refuse. If the tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord can consider evicting the tenant under section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.
What is the consequence if I don't have 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 the property. Failure to adhere to the law can lead to the landlord being prosecuted or fined heavily. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must give an original copy of their gas safety certificate to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property of the landlord to conduct an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection, the engineer will note any issues that could pose a risk for tenants. The engineer will issue a CP12 Gas Safety Document, also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is a very important document that every tenant must keep. It includes information about the gas appliances in a rented property as well as information on 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 contact a Gas Safe engineer to have them tested.
Landlords are required to provide their current and new tenants with a gas safety inspection report within 28 days of the engineer's visit to their property. They must also provide a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy starts. Landlords that fail to provide the copy of the gas certificate may be charged and face unlimited fines or even six months in prison.
The same way, landlords should ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their properties and arrange for them being checked every month. The landlord is responsible for repairing any alarm that doesn't work. The rules governing this are applicable to council, private and housing association landlords, and also to licensable houses of multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In June 2017 In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was illegal for landlords to issue Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official gas Safety Certificate. The ruling was based on a law that requires landlords with assured shorthold tenancies to have a gas safety certification for their property prior to when tenants move in.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that gas appliances, flues, and pipework in the properties they lease out are safe. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To be in compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to arrange annual gas checks on all the gas appliances and flues that they supply for use in the property. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate. It must be completed by a licensed Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It is also recommended for landlords to consider having a boiler service carried out at the same time as the CP12 inspection, as it will help ensure that all gas appliances are working correctly and safely. 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, inspect the flue system for leaks and cracks, clean the heat exchanger and burner and carry out 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 safety inspections, and specifics of any issues or actions that must be addressed. 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 landlords or letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It is essential to inform tenants about the importance of allowing gas engineers access to the property and explain that the engineer is there to safeguard them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If a tenant is hesitant to permit access it's the landlord's or letting agent's duty to clarify the legal obligations in writing and then follow with a visit to the property to compel entry if needed.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to they are allowed to enter the property. This will confirm that the engineer is competent to work on your home's systems and therefore be trusted to carry out the safety check. You should also be aware that a gas engineer is able to legally remove the malfunctioning equipment or cut off your gas supply should it be required.