Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances chimneys, flues and chimneys are regularly inspected. The law also requires that you give a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer determines that any appliance or installation is immediately dangerous the engineer will request permission to disconnect gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A landlord's gas safety certificate is an official document that proves that all gas appliances and flues in the property that is rented have been checked by an accredited gas engineer. Landlords are legally obliged to conduct a gas safety inspection once per year for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and ensure that all pipes, appliances and flues comply with safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) at the time of each annual inspection and test for gas safety. This must be given to tenants in the 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the beginning of their tenure.
CP12 is the abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 that was used by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form includes the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, the results, any steps that must be taken, as well as the name and name of the engineer that conducted the test.
The engineer will give advice on the spot if the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will include the items that need to be addressed to make it safe to 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 has been fixed.
It is illegal to a tenant who refuses to allow the gas safety test to be carried out. If needed the landlord has the right to ask the courts for a court order to enjoin the tenant from preventing gas safety checks. However, it's usually easier to write a letter that describes why the check is vital and what is involved. This can encourage a reluctant tenant to give 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?
In the law, landlords and agents for letting are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection of all 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 have their gas inspections completed by a licensed gas engineer.
straight from the source (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is a legal document that confirms that the gas inspection was performed by a licensed engineer within the past 12 months. It is issued to the landlord and must be handed over to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and has to be renewed each year.
A landlord who fails to provide the Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. Gas Safety checks must be completed by landlords in time. They must also keep a copy of the certificate in the event that tenants request it.
Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea, as it allows engineers to quickly access the appliances to conduct annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be in danger during an inspection the engineer will declare it to be at risk and shut off the boiler and suggest that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords should also make sure that they give their tenants at least 24 hours notice before they enter the property to perform Gas Safety checks. This gives tenants time to prepare for the visit and provide permission if necessary. If a tenant refuses to allow the engineer access the landlord should write to them explaining the reason for the visit and what will happen if they don't comply. 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 is the consequence if you don't possess a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal obligation of landlords to ensure that their property is fitted with an official gas safety certificate that is valid prior to the time 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 stipulate that landlords must provide an electronic copy of the gas safety certificate to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property 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 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 all tenants should be able to access and keep. The document contains information about gas installations in a rental home, including when they were tested and their expiration dates. It can help tenants spot any issues with their appliances or installation and make sure that they are aware of how to reach an Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords are required to provide their current and new tenants with a gas safety inspection report within 28 days of the engineer's visit to 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 six months in prison.
Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange that they be tested each month. The landlord is accountable for repairing the problem if the alarm 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 decided that it was unlawful for landlords to issue Section 21 notices if they did not provide their tenants with a valid gas safety certificate. The decision was based on the law that requires landlords with assured shorthold tenancies to obtain a gas safety certification for their property prior to when tenants move in.
How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that gas appliances, flues and pipework in the homes they rent out are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. To comply with the regulations landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks of all gas appliances and flues they supply to tenants. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate and it must be completed by a licensed Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also think about 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 offer the combination CP12 inspection and boiler service for a reasonable price. They will inspect the seals of boiler burners and look for leaks and cracks within the flue system and clean the heat exchanger and carry out 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 lists the results of all safety checks and details of any actions or issues that need to be resolved. Landlords must provide their tenants a CP12 document no later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It's important that landlords or letting agents only permit Gas Safe registered engineers to visit the property for safety checks and maintenance. It's a good idea to inform tenants about the necessity of allowing access, and explaining that the gas engineer is there to ensure they are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant does not allow access, the landlord or agent must state the legal requirements in writing. Then, they should visit the property and force 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 on your home's systems and therefore be trusted to perform the safety inspection. It's also worth bearing in mind that the gas engineer is legally able to cut off any defective equipment and can shut off your gas supply if necessary.