Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances chimneys, flues and chimneys are inspected every year. You should also give a copy of the report to your tenants.
If the engineer deems any device or installation to be immediately hazardous, they will request permission to shut off the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches be put in place.
What is the definition of a Gas Safety Certificate?
A landlord gas safety certificate is a document that demonstrates that all of the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords must arrange a gas check for each rental property they own at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry out the inspection and check that all pipework, appliances and flues conform with safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to give tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) after every annual inspection and test for gas safety. 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 tenancy.
CP12 is the abbreviation used 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 or test as well as the results of these, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, as well as the name of the person who conducted the check.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas appliance the engineer will provide advice on what must be done to make it safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be Immediately Dangerous, or Abnormally dangerous the gas supply should be disconnected until the problem has been resolved.
It is a crime to a tenant who refuses to allow the gas safety test to be conducted. If needed the landlord has the right to ask the courts for an order to enjoin the tenant from refusing to allow gas safety inspections. However, it is usually easier to send a letter which describes why the check is important and what's required. This will encourage a reluctant tenant to give access, and if not, the landlord may need to consider starting the process of eviction.
How often should I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
The landlords and letting agencies are legally required to conduct an annual safety check on all gas appliances and flues that are supplied to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and that there aren't gas leaks in the property. Gas inspections are a vital responsibility for landlords, and they must ensure that they are carried out by a qualified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is a legal document that confirms that the gas inspection was conducted by a qualified engineer within the past 12 months. It is given to the landlord and must be provided to the tenant to prove the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months, and must be renewed annually.
A landlord who is unable to provide a Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. It is therefore essential for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out in a timely manner and keep a copy of the certificate in the event that a tenant asks for it.
It is also an excellent idea for landlords to put inspection hatches on all gas appliances so that engineers can easily access them for inspections every year. The engineer will label the appliance as 'at-risk' and may suggest that tenants stop using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.
The landlords should also ensure that they provide their tenants with at least 24 hours notice prior to the time they are allowed to enter the property to conduct Gas Safety checks. This gives tenants time to prepare for the visit and give permission if necessary. If a tenant does not allow access to the engineer the landlord must explain the reason why it is necessary and what will happen should the tenant refuse. If the tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord may decide to evict the tenant under section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if I don't get a Gas Safety Certificate?
In gas safe installation certificate is the landlord's legal obligation to ensure that their property is equipped with a valid gas safety certification prior to the time tenants move in. Failure to comply with this law can result in a landlord being prosecuted or fined heavily. The regulations also state that landlords must give an electronic copy of the gas safety record 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 be able to identify any issues that could pose a risk to 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 a crucial piece of documentation that every tenant should get a hold of and keep. It contains information about the gas installations in a rental property as well as information on when they were last checked and the expiry dates. It can help tenants spot any issues with their appliances or installation and ensure they are aware of how to contact a Gas Safe engineer to have them tested.
Landlords are required to provide their tenants, both new and existing, with a gas safety check report within 28 days of the engineer's visit to their property. The landlord must also provide an original copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenancy. Landlords that fail to provide the the gas certificate can be prosecuted and face unlimited fines or even six months in prison.
In the same way landlords must ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their properties and have them checked every month. The landlord is accountable for repairing the problem if the alarm does not work. This is the case for private landlords, councils and housing associations, as well as licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017 In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was illegal for landlords to send Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official Gas Safety Certificate. The ruling was based on a law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to have a gas safety certification for their property prior to when tenants move into it.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally responsible to make sure that the gas appliances, flues, and pipework in their homes are safe for tenants. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To ensure compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues they supply for use in the property. This is known as a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and must be completed by a certified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to consider having a boiler service carried out in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, as it will help ensure that all gas appliances are working correctly and safely. Gas engineers can offer the combination CP12 inspection and boiler service for a reasonable price. They will inspect the seals of boiler burners as well as look for leaks and cracks in the flue system, clean the heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 document is commonly known as the 'landlord's gas safety certificate', but it is actually the Gas Safety Record documentation. It includes the results of the safety tests, as well as specifics of any issues or actions that should be addressed. Landlords must provide their tenants a CP12 document not later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is crucial that landlords and letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and for maintenance. It's a good idea to educate tenants on the importance of allowing access and explain that the gas engineer is there to help keep them safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is reluctant to allow access it is the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility to explain the legal responsibilities in writing and then follow up with a visit to the property to force entry if needed.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to they are allowed to enter the property. This will prove that the engineer has the necessary qualifications to work on your home's systems and therefore be trusted to carry out the safety inspection. It's also worth bearing in mind that the gas engineer is legally permitted to shut off any malfunctioning equipment and can cut off your gas supplies if necessary.