Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure all gas appliances, flues and chimneys undergo annual inspections. The law also requires you provide a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer considers an appliance or installation as being immediately hazardous, they will ask for permission to cut off the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches are installed.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is an official document that confirms that all gas appliances and flues in the property that is rented have been inspected by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are legally required to conduct a gas safety inspection annually for each rental property they own. The inspection is conducted by an Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all pipes appliances, flues, and pipes are in good working order and in compliance with the safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) at the time of each annual inspection and test for gas safety. The certificate should be provided to tenants within 28 days after the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their tenure.
CP12 is the abbreviation used for the CORGI Proforma 12 that was employed by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form identifies the date of the last gas inspection and test as well as the results, any actions or issues that need to be addressed, as well as the name of the person who conducted the test.
The engineer will give advice on the spot if the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be addressed to make it safe to use. If a gas appliance is found to be Immediately Dangerous or Abnormally Lethal the gas supply will need to be shut off until the issue has been resolved.
If a tenant is unwilling to allow access for gas security checks to be conducted it is an infraction that is punishable by law. A landlord may apply to the courts for an injunction order if necessary, however it is usually much easier to simply send a strongly written letter stating the reason why the checks are carried out and what they will involve. This should entice a tenant who is reluctant to allow access to the house. If not the landlord is not willing, he will have to start the eviction procedure.
How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agencies are required by law to carry out an annual safety check on all flues and gas appliances that are supplied to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe to use and that there aren't any gas leaks in the property. Gas inspections are a crucial obligation for landlords, and they must ensure that they are completed by a certified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is legal document that confirms that a gas inspection has been completed by a qualified engineer within the last 12 months. It is issued 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 every year.
A landlord who fails to provide the Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. It is therefore crucial for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out at a timely basis and keep a copy of the certificate in case a tenant requests it.
Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea, since it allows engineers to quickly access the appliances to conduct annual inspections. The engineer will classify the appliance as being at-risk and may recommend that tenants stop using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords should also make sure that they provide their tenants with a minimum of 24 hours notice before they visit the property to perform Gas Safety checks. This will allow tenants to prepare for the visit and grant permission if needed. If a tenant is refusing entry to the engineer, the landlord must explain why this is necessary and what will happen in the event that the tenant refuses. If the tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord may 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 essence it's the landlord's legal responsibility to ensure that their property is equipped with a valid gas safety certificate before tenants move into. Failure to do this is an offence that can result in landlords being punished with severe fines. The regulations also state that a landlord must provide a copy of the gas safety certificate to their tenants on request.
Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property for an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection, the engineer will note any issues that could cause a threat for tenants. The engineer will then issue an CP12 Gas Safety Document, 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 the rental property, as well as details regarding when they last checked and the expiry dates. It can help tenants identify issues with their appliances or installations and make sure they know how to contact the Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.
Landlords are required to provide their current and new tenants with a gas safety report within 28 days of the engineer's visit to their property. The landlord must also give an original copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenancy. Landlords who fail to provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate may be prosecuted under the rules and face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
The same way, landlords should ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are in operation in their homes and have them tested each month. how long does a gas safety certificate last is responsible for fixing the problem if the alarm does not work. The rules for this apply to council, private and housing association landlords as well as licensable houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In June 2017 In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was unlawful for landlords to issue Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official gas Safety Certificate. The decision was made in accordance with the law that states that landlords of assured shorthold leases must have a gas safety record for their property prior to when tenants move in.
How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that gas appliances, flues and pipework within the properties they lease are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. 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 called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and it must be signed by a licensed Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
It is also recommended for landlords to consider having an annual boiler service performed simultaneously with the CP12 inspection, as this will help ensure that all gas appliances are functioning correctly and safely. Gas engineers can offer a combined CP12 inspection and boiler service for a reasonable price. They will inspect the seals on boiler burners, inspect for leaks and cracks in the flue system, clean the heat exchanger and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes known as "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it's actually called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of the safety inspections, and details of any problems or actions that should be addressed. Landlords are required to give tenants 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 enter the premises for safety checks and maintenance. It is crucial to educate tenants about the importance of permitting gas engineers access to their property and explain that the engineer's job is to safeguard them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to permit access, it's the landlord or letting agent's responsibility to clarify the legal obligations in writing, and follow by visiting the property to force entry if necessary.
Tenants must always request to have a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before letting them in to prove that they're competent to work on your home's gas systems and are able to complete the gas safety inspection efficiently and effectively. You should also be aware that a gas technician can legally shut off the malfunctioning equipment or cut off your gas supply if needed.