Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances as well as chimneys and flues are regularly inspected. The law also requires that you provide a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer considers that any installation or appliance is immediately dangerous, they will request 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 an official document that confirms that all gas appliances and flues in the property that is rented have been inspected by an experienced gas engineer. The landlord must arrange for a gas check for each rental property that they own at least once a year. The inspection is performed by a Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all of the pipework, appliances, and flues are in good working order and in compliance with the safety regulations.
Landlords are also required by law to give their tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) at the end of each year's gas safety inspection and test. This must be given to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the start of their tenancy.
CP12 is an abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was employed by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before it was replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form shows the date of the last gas inspection and tests and the results, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, as well as the name of the person who performed the test.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance the engineer will provide advice on what should be done to ensure its safe use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediately dangerous or abnormally lethal, the gas supply will have to be shut off until the issue is resolved.
It is illegal for a tenant to refuse to let the gas safety inspection to be conducted. A landlord can apply to the courts for an injunction should it be necessary, but it is usually much easier to simply send a strongly written letter that explains the reason why the checks are conducted and what they'll involve. This can encourage a reluctant tenant to let access in, and if otherwise, the landlord could have to think about starting the eviction process.
How often should I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agents are legally required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on all gas appliances and flues that they provide to tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe to use and there are no gas leaks in the property. This is a crucial responsibility and landlords should ensure that they are inspected for gas by a licensed gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document which affirms that an engineer has completed a gas check within the last 12 months. It is given to the landlord and must be given to the tenant to prove the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months, and has to be renewed annually.
If a landlord is unable to provide their tenants with the 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 keep a copy in case tenants request it.
Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea as it allows engineers to easily access the appliances to conduct annual inspections. The engineer will classify the appliance as 'at-risk' and may recommend that the tenant refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.
The landlords should also ensure that they provide their tenants with a minimum of 24 hours notice before they visit the property to perform Gas Safety checks. This allows the tenants to prepare for the visit and grant permission if needed. If a tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord should write to them explaining why the engineer is required and what happens if they don't comply. If the tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer entry, the landlord can think about evicting the tenant in accordance with section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.
What is gas safety certificate what is checked if you don't possess a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal obligation of landlords to ensure that their property is fitted with an approved gas safety certificate before tenants move in. In the absence of this, it's an offense that could lead to landlords being punished with severe fines. The regulations stipulate that landlords are required to provide copies of the gas safety certificates to their tenants upon 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, a Gas Safe registered engineer will be able to identify any issues that could pose a risk to tenants. The engineer will issue the 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 should keep. It includes information about the gas installations of 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 appliances or installations and make sure that they are aware of how to reach an Gas Safe engineer to have them checked.
Landlords are required to provide an inspection report on gas safety to their tenants, new and current, within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. The landlord must also give an original copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenure. Landlords who fail to provide a copy of the gas safety certificate can be prosecuted under the rules and face unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.
Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms. They should also arrange for them to be tested each month. The landlord is accountable for repairing an alarm that does not work. This applies to councils, private landlords, and housing associations as well as licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017 the High Court decided that it was illegal for landlords to issue Section 21 notices if they did not provide their tenants with a valid gas safety certificate. The decision was based on the law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to obtain a gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move into it.
How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that gas appliances, flues, and pipework in the homes they rent out are safe. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To comply with the regulations landlords must conduct annual gas checks of all gas appliances and flues they provide for use in a property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate. It must be filled out by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It is also recommended for landlords to look into having a boiler service carried out in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, since this will ensure that all the gas appliances are functioning correctly and safely. Gas engineers can provide the combination CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable cost. They will examine the seals of boiler burners, inspect for leaks and cracks within the flue system, clean the heat exchanger and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes referred to by the term "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it actually is known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It includes the results of the safety tests, as well as specifics about any issues or actions that must be addressed. Landlords must provide their tenants a CP12 document not later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is important that landlords and letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property for safety inspections and maintenance. It's important to educate tenants about the importance of allowing gas engineers access to the property. They should explain that the engineer's presence is necessary to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is reluctant to permit access it is the landlord's or letting agent's duty to explain the legal responsibilities in writing, and follow by visiting the property to force entry if necessary.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before allowing them to enter the property. This will prove that the engineer is qualified to work with the systems in your home and can therefore be trusted to conduct the safety check. It's also worth bearing in mind that the gas engineer is legally allowed to shut off any malfunctioning equipment and can shut off your gas supplies when necessary.