Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As an owner, it is your responsibility to ensure all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys are inspected annually. You should also provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer determines that any appliance or installation is immediately dangerous, they will request permission to shut off the supply of gas and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate issued by a landlord is an official document that proves that all gas appliances and flues in the property that is rented were inspected by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords must arrange the gas check for each rental property that they have at least once a year. The inspection is conducted by a Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all pipework and appliances as well as flues are in good working order and that they are in compliance with safety standards.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record), following every annual inspection and test for gas safety. The document should be handed out to tenants within 28 days after the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their tenure.
CP12 is an abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 which was used by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form contains the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their results, any actions that must be taken, and the name and title of the engineer who performed the test.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance, the engineer will advise on what must be done to ensure its safe use. If an appliance is deemed Immediately Dangerous, or Abnormally lethal the gas supply needs to be disconnected until the problem is resolved.
It is illegal for a tenant to refuse to let the gas safety check to be conducted. If necessary the landlord has the right to ask the courts for a court order to prohibit the tenant from preventing gas safety checks. However, it's usually easier to send a letter which describes why the check is vital and what is involved. This can convince a tenant who is reluctant to allow access and, if not, the landlord may have to think about starting the eviction process.
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 inspection 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 within the property. Gas inspections are a crucial obligation for landlords, and they should ensure that they are carried out by a licensed engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is legal document that confirms that an inspection of the gas supply has been performed by a licensed engineer within the past 12 months. It is given to the landlord and must be given to the tenant as proof of the security 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 an Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. Gas Safety checks must be carried out by landlords on time. They must also keep a copy in case tenants ask for it.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to put inspection hatches on all gas appliances to allow engineers to easily access them for annual inspections. The engineer will categorise the appliance as 'at-risk' and may recommend that tenants refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.
The landlords should also ensure that they give their tenants at least 24 hours notice prior to when they enter the property to perform Gas Safety checks. This will allow tenants to prepare for the visit and provide permission if needed. If a tenant does not allow the engineer entry the landlord must 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 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?
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 result in landlords being punished with severe fines. The regulations also state that a landlord must provide an electronic copy of the gas safety certificate to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord to conduct an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, a Gas Safe registered engineer will identify any issues that could be a threat 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 an important document that every tenant should get a hold of and keep. It includes information about the gas appliances in a rental property and also details regarding when they last checked and the expiry dates. It can help tenants identify any issues with the appliances or installation and ensure they know how to reach a Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords are required to provide a gas safety report to their tenants, new and existing, within 28 days after 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 who fail in providing the the gas certificate may be charged and face unlimited fines, or six months in prison.
Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms. They can also arrange that they be tested every month. The landlord is accountable for repairing the problem if the alarm does not work. The rules for this are applicable to council, private and housing association landlords as well as to licensable houses of multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In gas safe building regulations compliance certificate , the High Court ruled that it was unlawful for landlords to serve Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official Gas Safety Certificate. The ruling was based on the law that stipulates that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must have a gas safety record for their property prior to when tenants move into the property.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are required by law to ensure that the gas appliances, flues and pipework in their homes are safe for tenants. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. In order to comply with these regulations, landlords must conduct annual gas inspections on all gas appliances and flues they install in the building. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be filled out by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to look into having the boiler service completed at the same time as the CP12 inspection, as this will ensure that all gas appliances are working in a safe and efficient manner. Gas engineers can provide the combination CP12 inspection and boiler service for a reasonable price. They will inspect the seals on boiler burners as well as look for leaks and cracks in the flue system and clean the heat exchanger, and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 document is commonly called the 'landlord's gas safety certificate' although it is officially called the Gas Safety Record documentation. It lists the results of all safety inspections and details of any actions or problems that require attention. Landlords must provide their tenants the CP12 document within 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is essential that landlords and letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property for safety inspections and maintenance. It is crucial to educate tenants on the importance of allowing gas engineers access to the property. They should explain that the engineer's job is to safeguard them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If a tenant is hesitant to allow access, it's the landlord or letting agent's responsibility to clarify the legal obligations in writing. Then follow by visiting the property to compel entry if needed.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before entering the property. This will ensure that the engineer is competent to work with the systems in your home and can therefore be trusted to carry out the safety inspection. 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 if necessary.