Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys undergo annual inspections. The law also requires you give a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer deems any appliance or installation to be immediately dangerous, they will ask for permission to cut off the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches are installed.
What is the definition of a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that demonstrates that all of the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a qualified gas engineer. The landlord must arrange for the gas check for each rental property they own at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and verify that all pipes, appliances and flues comply with safety standards.
The law also requires landlords to give tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) at the time of each annual inspection and test for gas safety. This should be provided to tenants in the 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the beginning of their lease.
CP12 is an abbreviation used for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was used by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) prior to being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form identifies the date of the last gas inspection and test and the results of these, 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 problems with a gas appliance and the engineer will give advice on what needs to 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 has been fixed.
If a tenant refuses to allow access for gas safety checks to be completed it is an infraction that is punishable by law. A landlord can ask the courts for an injunction should it be necessary, but it is usually much easier to simply send a well worded letter explaining the reasons why it is crucial that the checks are made and what they will entail. This should encourage tenants who are hesitant to allow access to the house. If not, the landlord will need to initiate the eviction process.
How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
In the law, landlords and let agents are required by law to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on the chimneys and gas appliances that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe to use and that there aren't any gas leaks in the property. This is a vitally important responsibility for landlords and they should make sure that they have their gas inspections completed by a qualified gas 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 also be given to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months and must be renewed annually.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants with a Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be punished by the local authority. It is therefore crucial for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out on time and keep a copy of the documents in case a tenant needs it.
It is also a good idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances, so that engineers can easily access the hatches for annual inspections. The engineer will label 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 provide their tenants with a minimum of 24 hours notice before they visit the property to conduct Gas Safety checks. This allows tenants time to plan their inspection and request permission if they need. If a tenant refuses to permit the engineer to enter the landlord must write to them explaining why the engineer is required and what will happen if they don't follow through. If the tenant does not allow the engineer entry, the landlord may decide to evict the tenant under section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.
What is the consequence if I don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal obligation of a landlord to ensure that their property is fitted with a gas safety certificate valid prior to the time tenants move into. Infractions to this law could result in the landlord being prosecuted or being fined a significant amount. The regulations stipulate that landlords must also provide copies of gas safety records to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord to perform an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection, the engineer will note any issues that could present a danger for tenants. The engineer will issue an CP12 Gas Safety Document, also known as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is a crucial document that every tenant must keep. It contains information about the gas appliances in a rented property and also details about when they were last checked and the expiry dates. It can assist tenants in identifying issues with their appliances or installations and ensure that they know how contact the Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.
Landlords are required to provide their current and new tenants with a gas safety report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. They must also provide a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy begins. Landlords who do not provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted under the rules and may be subject to unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
In the same way, landlords should ensure that carbon monoxide detectors work in their homes and make arrangements for them to be checked every month. If the alarm isn't functioning, the landlord has to fix it. This is the case for private landlords, councils 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 certification. The decision was based upon the law that requires landlords with assured shorthold leases to obtain a gas safety certificate for their property before 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 within the properties they lease out are safe. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. In order to comply with the regulations, landlords are required to arrange annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues that they provide for use in the building. 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.
what is a gas safety certificate should consider conducting a boiler inspection at the same time as a CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Gas engineers can provide the combination CP12 inspection and boiler service for a reasonable price. They will examine the boiler burner's seals as well as look for leaks and cracks in the flue system and clean the heat exchanger, and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes known as "landlord's gas safety certificate" however it is actually known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of the safety inspections, and specifics about any issues or actions that should be addressed. Landlords must provide their tenants with a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
It is important that landlords and letting agents only permit Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and for maintenance. It's a good idea to inform tenants about the importance of allowing access and explain that the gas engineer is there to ensure they are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is reluctant to allow access it's the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility explain the legal responsibilities in writing, and follow by visiting the property to compel entry if needed.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before 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 can therefore be trusted to carry out the safety check. Be aware that a gas technician can legally shut off faulty equipment or cut off the gas supply in case of need.