Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys undergo annual checks. The law also requires that you provide a copy the check to your tenants.
If the engineer considers that any installation or appliance is immediate danger the engineer will request permission to cut off the supply of gas and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is an official document that confirms that all gas appliances and flues in the rented property have been inspected by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are legally required arrange a gas safety check once per year for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and ensure that all pipes, appliances and flues conform with safety standards.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) at the time of every 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 new tenants at the beginning of their tenancy.
CP12 is an abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 which was employed by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form shows the date of the last gas inspection and test as well as the results of these tests, any issues or actions that need to be addressed, and the name of the engineer who carried out the check.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance and the engineer will give advice on what should be done to make it safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be Immediately Dangerous or Abnormally Lethal, the gas supply must be shut off until the issue is resolved.
If a tenant does not allow access for the gas safety checks to be carried out the tenant is guilty of an infraction that is punishable by law. A landlord may apply to the courts for an injunction order should it be necessary, but it is generally easier to simply send a well written letter that explains the reason why the checks are conducted and what they'll involve. This will encourage the tenant who is hesitant to allow access to the house. If not the landlord has to initiate the eviction process.
How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
The landlords and letting agencies are required by law to carry out an annual safety check on all gas appliances and flues that they provide 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. Gas inspections are an essential obligation for landlords, and they must ensure they are conducted by a certified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is legal document that confirms that an inspection of the gas supply has been performed by a licensed engineer within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and must also be given to the tenant to verify the security of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and needs to be renewed annually.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants with an Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be penalized by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be carried out by landlords on time. They must also keep a copy of the certificate in case tenants ask for it.
Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea since 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 suggest that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords are also required to provide their tenants with at least 24 hours' notice prior entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows tenants time to prepare and ask permission if they need. If a tenant is refusing the engineer's entry the landlord must explain the reason why it is necessary and what happens in the event that the tenant refuses. If the tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord could decide to evict the tenant under section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if you don't own a Gas Safety Certificate?
In short, it's the landlord's legal responsibility to ensure their property has a valid gas safety certification prior to the time tenants move into. Infractions to the law can lead to the landlord being charged or being fined a significant amount. how much for landlords gas safety certificate that landlords are required to provide copies of the gas safety records to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to perform an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, a Gas Safe registered engineer will note any problems that could pose a risk 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 crucial document that every tenant should be able to access and keep. This document provides information on gas installations in a rental property as well as the date they were tested as well as their expiration dates. It can assist tenants in identifying problems with appliances or installations and ensure that they are aware of how to contact a Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.
Landlords are required to provide the gas safety report to their tenants, new and existing within 28 days of the date that the engineer has visited their property. The landlord must also give the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords that fail to provide the copy of the gas certificate can be charged and face unlimited fines or six months in prison.
Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms. They should also arrange for them to be tested every month. The landlord is responsible for repairing an alarm that does not work. 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 decided that it was unlawful for landlords to issue Section 21 notices if they did not provide their tenants with an official gas safety certificate. The decision was made by reference to the law which stipulates that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must have a record of their gas safety for their property prior to when tenants move into the property.
How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that the gas appliances, flues, and pipework in their homes are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 regulate this. To be in compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues that they install to tenants. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate. It must be signed by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should consider performing a boiler inspection simultaneously with a CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are working properly and safely. Gas engineers can offer an integrated CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable cost. They will examine the boiler burner's seals and look for cracks and leaks in the flue system and clean the heat exchanger, and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 document is commonly known as the 'landlord's gas safety certificate', although it is officially called the Gas Safety Record documentation. It outlines the outcomes of all the safety checks and the details of any actions or problems that require attention. Landlords must provide their tenants with a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
It is essential that landlords and letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property for safety inspections and maintenance. It's important to educate tenants about the importance of allowing gas engineers access to the property. They should explain that the engineer is there to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to permit access it's the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility clarify the legal obligations in writing and then follow up with a visit to the property to force entry if necessary.
Tenants must always request to have a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before letting them in, as this will prove that they're qualified to work on your home's gas systems and is able to complete the gas safety check efficiently and effectively. It's also worth bearing in mind that the gas engineer is legally permitted to disconnect faulty equipment and can shut off your gas supply if necessary.