Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances as well as chimneys and flues are inspected every year. The law also requires you provide a copy the check to your tenants.
If the engineer deems any appliance or installation as being immediately dangerous they will ask for permission to disconnect the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches are installed.
What is 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 in the property that is rented have been checked by an accredited gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange the gas check for each rental property that they own at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and verify that all pipes, appliances and flues conform with safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) after every annual inspection and test for gas safety. This should be provided 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 identifies the date of the last gas inspection or test and the results, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, as well as the name of the person who conducted the check.
The engineer will offer advice in the event that the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. gas safety certificate homeowner will include the items that need to be fixed to make it safe to use. If a device is deemed immediately dangerous or abnormally dangerous the gas supply should be turned off until the issue has been resolved.
It is illegal for a tenant to refuse to let the gas safety inspection to be carried out. If needed, a landlord can ask the courts for a court order to enjoin the tenant from refusing to allow gas safety checks. However, it's often easier to send a letter that explains why the checks are essential and what will be required. This should entice a tenant who is reluctant to let access to the property. If not the landlord has to begin the eviction process.
How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agencies are required by law to conduct an annual safety check on all gas appliances and flues that are supplied to their tenants. This is to ensure that the equipment is safe for them to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks within the property. This is an essential responsibility for landlords and they should be sure to get their gas inspections done by a licensed gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is a legal document that confirms that the gas inspection was performed by a licensed engineer in the last 12 months. how to get gas safety certificate is issued to the landlord and must be handed over to the tenant to prove the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and needs to be renewed every year.
If a landlord does not provide their tenants with the Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be fined by the local authority. It is therefore vital for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out at a timely basis and to keep a copy the documents in case a tenant needs it.
Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea, as it allows engineers to gain access to the appliances to conduct annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be 'at risk' during an inspection the engineer will declare it to be at risk and will shut off the boiler and recommend that tenants not to use it until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords should also make sure that they give their tenants at least 24 hours notice prior to when they visit the property to carry out Gas Safety checks. This gives tenants time to prepare and request permission if they need. If a tenant is refusing access to the engineer, the landlord must explain the reason why it is necessary and what happens in the event that the tenant refuses. If the tenant still refuses, then the landlord should think about evicting them under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if you don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
In essence, it is the landlord's legal obligation to ensure that their property is equipped with a valid gas safety certificate before tenants move into. Failure to do this is an offence that can result in landlords being punished with severe fines. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must provide an electronic copy of the gas safety record to their tenants on request.
Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to perform a gas check on all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will be able to identify any issues that may present a danger to tenants. They will issue an CP12 gas safety certificate, which is also known as the 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 contains information on the gas appliances in the rental property as well as information on when they were last tested and their expiry dates. It can assist tenants in identifying issues with their appliances or installations and ensure that they are aware of how to contact a Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.
Landlords are required to provide their new and current tenants with a gas safety check report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. The landlord must also give a copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords who do not provide a copy of the gas safety certificate can be prosecuted in accordance with the regulations and face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms. They can also arrange that they be tested every month. If the alarm isn't working, the landlord must make the necessary repairs. The rules governing this apply to council, private and housing association landlords as well as to licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was unlawful for landlords to send Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official gas Safety Certificate. The decision was by reference to the law which states that landlords of assured shorthold leases must have a record of their gas safety for their property prior to the time tenants move in.
How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally responsible for ensuring that gas appliances, flues, and pipework in the homes they lease out are safe. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To be in compliance with the regulations landlords must conduct annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues that they install to tenants. This is known as a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, and it has to be completed by a qualified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also think about performing a boiler inspection simultaneously with a CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are working properly and safely. Landlords can usually receive a combination CP12 and boiler service for a reasonable price from a qualified gas engineer. They will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners, inspect the flue system for cracks and leaks cleaning the burner and heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 is often referred to by the term "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it actually is known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of all safety checks and the details of any actions or issues that need to be resolved. Landlords are required to give their tenants a CP12 document within 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is crucial that landlords and letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property for safety inspections and maintenance. It's a good idea inform tenants about the importance of allowing access and explain that the gas engineer will protect them from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to allow access, the landlord or agent must state the legal requirements in writing. They should then visit the property and force entry if necessary.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before they are allowed to enter the property. This will prove that the engineer is qualified to work on the systems in your home and can therefore be trusted to perform the safety inspection. Be aware that a gas engineer is able to legally disconnect faulty equipment or cut off your gas supply if needed.