Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, chimneys and flues are inspected annually. The law also requires that you provide a copy the check to your tenants.
If the engineer determines that a particular appliance or installation is imminently dangerous they will ask permission to shut off gas supply and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document which demonstrates that the gas appliances in the rental property and flues have been inspected by a qualified gas engineer. The landlord must arrange for the gas check for each rental property they own at least once a year. The inspection is performed by an Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all of the pipework, appliances, and flues are in good working order and that they are in compliance with the safety regulations.
Landlords are also legally required to provide tenants with an original copy 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 beginning of their tenancy.
CP12 is the abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 that was used by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form lists the date of the last gas inspection or test and the results of these tests, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, and the name of the engineer who carried out the inspection.
The engineer will offer advice in the event that the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be fixed to make it safe to use. If a gas appliance is found to be Immediately Dangerous, or Abnormally dangerous the gas supply should be disconnected until the problem is fixed.
If a tenant does not allow access for gas safety checks to be carried out the tenant is guilty of an offence that is criminal. A landlord may apply to the courts for an injunction order if necessary, however it is generally easier to send a clearly written letter that explains the reasons why it is crucial that the checks are conducted and what they will entail. This will encourage tenants who are hesitant to let access to the property. If not, the landlord will need to start the eviction procedure.
How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agents are required by law to carry out an annual gas safety check on all gas appliances and flues that are supplied to their tenants. This is to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and that there are no gas leaks within the property. This is a vitally important obligation and landlords must make sure that they 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 indicates that an engineer completed a gas inspection in the last 12 months. It is given to the landlord and should be handed over to the tenant as proof of the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months and must be renewed each year.
A landlord who does not provide an Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. Gas Safety checks must be completed by landlords in time. They must 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 for annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be at risk during an inspection the engineer will declare it to be at risk and shut off the boiler and advise that the tenant refrain from using it until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords must also ensure that they give tenants at least 24 hours notice before 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 is refusing the engineer's entry the landlord has to explain the reason why it is necessary and what happens if the tenant refused. If the tenant does not allow the engineer entry, the landlord may decide to evict the tenant under section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.
What is the consequence if I don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
In essence it's the landlord's legal responsibility to ensure that their home has an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move in. Failure to do this is an offense that could cause landlords to be punished with severe fines. The regulations also stipulate that a landlord must provide an electronic copy of the gas safety certificate to their tenants on request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord to conduct a gas inspection on all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will take note of any issues that may pose a risk 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. This document provides information on gas installations in rental properties as well as the date they were tested and expiration dates. It will help tenants recognize any issues with the appliances or installations and ensure that they know how to reach a Gas Safe engineer to have them tested.
Landlords are required to provide a gas safety report to their tenants, both new and current within 28 days of the date that the engineer has visited their property. They must also provide a copy the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy begins. Landlords who fail to provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate can be prosecuted under the rules and face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
In the same way landlords must make sure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their homes and have them checked every month. If an alarm is not functioning, the landlord has to repair it. The rules governing this are applicable to private, council and housing association landlords as well as licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was illegal for landlords to issue Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid gas Safety Certificate. The decision was made by reference to the law which states that landlords with assured shorthold leases must have a record of their gas safety for their property before tenants move into.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally responsible to make sure that the gas appliances, flues, and pipework within their properties are safe for tenants. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To be in compliance with the regulations landlords are required to conduct annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues that they install to tenants. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate and it must be signed by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It's also a good idea for landlords to think about having a boiler service carried out in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, as this will ensure that all the gas appliances are functioning correctly and safely. Landlords can typically obtain a combined CP12 and boiler service at a reasonable price from a qualified gas engineer. They will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners. They will also inspect the flue system for cracks and leaks cleaning the heat exchanger and burner and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes called "landlord's gas safety certificate" but it's actually known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It includes the results of the safety checks, as well as specifics of any issues or actions that should be addressed. Landlords must provide their tenants a CP12 document no later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is essential that the landlords or letting agents permit Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It's a good idea to inform tenants about the necessity of allowing access, and explaining that the gas engineer will help keep them safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant refuses to permit access the agent or landlord must outline the legal obligations in writing. They should then visit the property and force entry if required.
Tenants must always request to be shown a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to entering the premises to ensure that they're qualified to work on your home's gas systems and can be trusted to complete the gas safety test efficiently and efficiently. It is also important to know that a gas engineer is able to legally disconnect the malfunctioning equipment or cut off your gas supply if needed.