Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, chimneys and flues are inspected annually. You should also give a copy of the report to your tenants.
If the engineer deems any device or installation to be immediately dangerous, they will request permission to cut off the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches are installed.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document which demonstrates that all the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a qualified gas engineer. The landlord must arrange for an annual gas inspection for each rental property they own at least once per year. The inspection is carried out by an Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all pipes, appliances, and flues are in good working order and that they are in compliance with the safety regulations.
Landlords are also legally required to provide their tenants with an original copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) following each annual gas safety inspection and test. This must be given to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the start of their lease.
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 lists the date of the last gas inspection or test and the results, any actions or issues that need to be addressed, as well as the name of the engineer who carried out the check.
The engineer will offer advice if the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be fixed so that it is safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediately dangerous or abnormally lethal, the gas supply will have to be disconnected until the issue is resolved.
If a tenant is unwilling to allow access for the gas safety checks to be completed it is a criminal offence. A landlord can apply to the courts for an injunction if necessary, however it is generally easier to send a clearly worded letter explaining the reason why the checks are carried out and what they will involve. This should entice tenants who are hesitant to let access to the property. If not the landlord is not willing, he will have to begin the eviction process.
How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
In the law, landlords and let agents are required by law to conduct an annual gas safety inspection of the chimneys and gas appliances that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and that there aren't leaks of gas in the property. This is a crucial responsibility and landlords should be sure to 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 indicates that an engineer completed a gas check within the last 12 months. It is given to the landlord and must be provided to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. can i get a copy of my gas safe certificate is valid for 12 months, and has to be renewed each year.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants with the Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be fined by the local authority. It is therefore essential for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out in a timely manner and to keep a copy the certificate in the event that a tenant asks for it.
It is also an excellent idea for landlords to install inspection hatches on all gas appliances, to allow engineers to easily access the hatches for annual inspections. The engineer will categorise the appliance as being at-risk and may suggest that tenants stop using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords must also provide their tenants with at least 24 hours' notice before entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows the tenants to prepare for the visit and grant permission if needed. If a tenant does not allow the engineer entry, the landlord should write to them explaining why the engineer is required and what will happen if they don't follow through. If the tenant continues to refuse the engineer entry, then the landlord must consider evicting them using section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if I don't receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal responsibility of landlords to ensure that their property is fitted with an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move in. Failure to do this is an offense that could 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 a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to conduct an inspection of the gas supply to 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 then issue an CP12 Gas Safety Document, also known as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is a vital document that every tenant must get a hold of and keep. It contains information on the gas installations of the rental property and also details on when they were last tested and when they expire. It can help tenants identify issues with their appliances or installations and make sure they know how contact the Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.
Landlords are required to provide the gas safety report to their tenants, both new and current within 28 days of the date that the engineer has visited their property. The landlord must also give a copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenancy. Landlords that fail to provide the the gas certificate can be charged and face unlimited fines or six months in prison.
Similar to this, landlords should ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are in operation in their properties and arrange for them being tested each month. The landlord is responsible 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 ruled that it was unlawful for landlords to issue Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid gas Safety Certificate. The ruling was based on the law that requires landlords with assured shorthold leases to obtain an official 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 required by law to make sure that the gas appliances, flues, and pipework within their properties are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 regulate this. To comply with the regulations landlords must conduct annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues that they install for use in a property. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate and it must be signed by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also think about performing a boiler inspection simultaneously with the CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Gas engineers can offer an integrated CP12 inspection and boiler service for a reasonable price. They will check 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 is often referred to by the term "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it's actually known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of the safety checks, as well as details of any problems or actions that must be addressed. Landlords must provide their tenants the CP12 document no later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is important that landlords and letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and for maintenance. It's important to educate tenants about the importance of permitting gas engineers access to their property and explain that the engineer's presence is necessary to safeguard them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to allow access the agent or landlord must explain the legal obligations in writing. Then, they should visit the property and force entry if needed.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to they are allowed to enter the property. This will confirm that the engineer is competent to work on the systems in your home and can therefore be trusted to perform the safety check. It is also important to know that a gas engineer can legally disconnect faulty equipment or cut off your gas supply should it be required.