Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As an owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, flues and chimneys are inspected annually. The law also requires that you give a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer determines that an appliance or installation to be immediately dangerous, they will ask for permission to shut off the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches be installed.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that proves that all of the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been examined by a licensed gas engineer. Landlords are legally obliged to arrange a gas safety check annually for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and ensure that all pipework, appliances and flues are in compliance with safety regulations.
Landlords are also required by law to provide their tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) following each annual gas safety inspection and test. The certificate should be given to tenants in the 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the start of their lease.
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 shows the date of the last gas inspection and test and the results of these, any issues or actions that need to be addressed, as well as the name of the person who conducted 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 make it safe for use. If an appliance is deemed to be immediately dangerous or Abnormally Lethal, the gas supply will need to be turned off until the problem is resolved.
If landlord gas safety certificate uk does not permit access to the gas safety checks to be carried out the tenant is guilty of an infraction that is punishable by law. A landlord may apply to the courts for an injunction if necessary, however it is usually much easier to simply send a well worded letter explaining why it is essential that the checks are made and what they will entail. This should encourage a tenant who is reluctant to let access to the property. If not the landlord is not willing, he will have to initiate the eviction process.
How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
In the law, landlords and letting agents are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on all chimneys and gas appliances they offer to their tenants. This is to ensure that the equipment is safe to use and that there are no gas leaks in the building. Gas inspections are a vital obligation for landlords, and they must ensure they are conducted by a certified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document that confirms that an engineer has completed a gas check within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and must be presented to the tenant in order to demonstrate the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months and must be renewed each year.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants with an Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be fined by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be performed by landlords on time. They should keep a copy in case tenants request it.
It is also an excellent idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances to allow engineers to easily access the hatches for annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be in danger during an inspection, the engineer will formally categorise it as such and will shut off the boiler and recommend that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords should also make sure that they give their tenants at least 24 hours notice before they visit the property to carry out Gas Safety checks. This allows the tenants to prepare for the visit and grant permission, if required. If a tenant is refusing access to the engineer the landlord has to explain the reason for this and what will happen if the tenant refused. If the tenant continues to refuse then the landlord should look into evicting them pursuant to section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if I don't receive 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 into the property. Infractions to this law can result in a landlord being prosecuted or being fined a significant amount. The regulations stipulate that landlords must also furnish copies of the gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property of the landlord in order to perform a gas inspection on all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will note any problems that could pose a danger to tenants. They will then issue an CP12 gas safety certificate which is known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is a crucial piece of documentation that all tenants should take possession of and keep. It includes information about the gas appliances in a rental property and also details regarding when they last tested and their expiry dates. It can help tenants spot any issues with their appliances or installation and make sure that they know how to reach an Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords must provide a gas safety report to their tenants, both new and existing within 28 days of the date that the engineer has visited their property. They must also provide a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy begins. Landlords that fail to provide the copy of the gas certificate may be charged and face unlimited fines or six months in prison.
In the same way, landlords must make sure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange that they be tested every month. If the alarm isn't working, the landlord should make the necessary repairs. The rules for this apply to council, private and housing association landlords and also to licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
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 made by reference to the law which stipulates that landlords with assured shorthold leases must have a gas safety record for their property before tenants move in.
How do I get 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 deal with this. To be in compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to arrange annual gas checks on all the gas appliances and flues they supply for use in the building. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, and it has to be completed by a certified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
It is also a good idea for landlords to look into having the boiler service completed in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, since this will ensure that all the gas appliances are working correctly and safely. Landlords can typically get a combined CP12 and boiler service for an affordable price from a qualified gas engineer who will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners, inspect the flue system for cracks and leaks cleaning the burner and heat exchanger and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 is often called "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it actually is known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of the safety checks, as well as specifics about any issues or actions that should be taken care of. Landlords must provide their tenants a CP12 document within 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is crucial that landlords and letting agents only permit Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property for safety inspections and maintenance. It's a good idea inform tenants about the necessity of allowing access, and explain that the gas engineer is there to ensure they are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant refuses to permit access, the landlord or agent must state the legal requirements in writing. They should then visit the property and force entry if required.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to allowing them to enter the property. This will prove that the engineer is qualified to work with your home's systems and can therefore be trusted to carry out the safety inspection. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally allowed to cut off any defective equipment and can cut off your gas supply when necessary.