Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances as well as chimneys and flues are inspected annually. You should also give a copy of the report to your tenants.
If the engineer considers an device or installation to be immediately dangerous they will request permission to shut off the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches be put in place.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A landlord's gas safety certificate is an official document that confirms that all gas appliances and flues that are in the rented property have been checked by an accredited gas engineer. Landlords must arrange the gas check for each rental property they have at least once a year. The inspection is carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all of the pipework appliances, flues, and pipes are in good working order and that they are in compliance with safety standards.
Landlords are also required by law to give their tenants an original copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) after 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 any new tenants at the beginning 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 contains the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their results, any actions required to be taken, and the name and name of the engineer that conducted the inspection.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas device and the engineer will give advice on what needs to be done to make it safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be dangerous immediately or abnormally lethal the gas supply needs to be shut off until the issue is fixed.
If a tenant is unwilling to allow access for gas security checks to be conducted the tenant is guilty of an offence that is criminal. If necessary landlords can apply to the courts for a court order to prohibit the tenant from preventing the gas safety inspections. However, it's usually easier to write a letter that describes why the check is important and what's involved. This will convince a tenant who is reluctant to give access, and in the event that they do otherwise, the landlord could have to think about starting 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 on all gas appliances and chimneys that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe to use and that there aren't gas leaks within the property. This is an essential obligation and landlords must ensure that they are inspected for gas by a qualified gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document that indicates that an engineer completed a gas inspection within the last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord, and should be provided to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and needs to be renewed annually.
A landlord who is unable to provide a Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. It is therefore crucial for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out on time and keep a copy of the certificate in case a tenant requests it.
Installing Full Statement in all gas appliances is a good idea, as it allows engineers to easily access the appliances for their annual inspections. The engineer will label the appliance as being at-risk and may recommend that the tenant refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords are also required to 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 give permission if needed. If a tenant refuses the engineer's entry the landlord has to explain the reason why it is necessary and what happens if the tenant refused. If the tenant continues to refuse the engineer entry, then the landlord must think about evicting them under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if you don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal obligation of a landlord to make sure that their property is fitted with a gas safety certificate valid before tenants move in. Failure to comply with the law can lead to a landlord being prosecuted or being fined a significant amount. The regulations stipulate that landlords are required to provide copies of gas safety records to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property of the landlord in order to perform an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection, a Gas Safe registered engineer will be able to identify any issues that could be a threat to tenants. They will issue an CP12 gas safety document, which is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is a very important document that every tenant should keep. It contains information on the gas installations in the rental property as well as information on when they were last tested and when they expire. It can help tenants identify issues with their appliances and installations and make sure that they know how to contact an Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.
Landlords are required to provide their tenants, both new and existing, with a gas safety inspection report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. The landlord must also provide a copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenure. Landlords who fail to provide the the gas certificate could be prosecuted and face unlimited fines or even six months in prison.
Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms. They can also arrange for them to be tested each month. If the alarm isn't functioning, the landlord has to make the necessary repairs. This applies to 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 an official gas safety certificate. The decision was based upon the law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to have an official gas safety certificate 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 properties are safe for tenants. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. In order to comply with these regulations, landlords must conduct annual gas inspections on all the gas appliances and flues they supply for use in the building. This is known as a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, and it has to be signed by a licensed Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should consider performing a boiler inspection simultaneously with the CP12 inspection. This will ensure that the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Landlords are usually able to receive a combination CP12 and boiler service at a reasonable price from a qualified gas engineer, who will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners. They will also inspect the flue system for leaks and cracks, clean the burner and heat exchanger and conduct general maintenance.
The CP12 is often referred to by the term "landlord's gas safety certificate" however it is actually called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It outlines the outcomes of all the safety checks and the details of any actions or problems that need to be resolved. Landlords are required to provide their tenants the CP12 document within 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is crucial that landlords or letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises to conduct safety checks and for maintenance. It's a good idea to inform tenants of the necessity of allowing access, and explain that the gas engineer will ensure they are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If a tenant is hesitant to let access in, it's the landlord or letting agent's responsibility to clarify the legal obligations in writing, and follow with a visit to the property to force entry if necessary.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before they are allowed to enter the property. This will confirm that the engineer is competent to work with your home's systems and can therefore be trusted to perform the safety inspection. It's important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally able to cut off any defective equipment and cut off gas lines if necessary.