Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As an owner, it is your responsibility to ensure 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 determines that an appliance or installation to be immediately dangerous they will request permission to shut off the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches be put in place.
What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A landlord gas safety certificate is a document that proves that all the gas appliances in the rental property and flues have been inspected by a licensed gas engineer. The landlord must arrange for a gas check for each rental property that they have at least once a year. The inspection is carried out by an Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all pipes and appliances as well as flues are in good working condition and that they are in compliance with the safety regulations.
Landlords are also required by law to provide tenants with an original copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) following each annual gas safety inspection and test. This must be given to tenants in the 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the start of their tenancy.
CP12 is the abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 that was employed 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 required to be taken, and the name and title of the engineer who performed the inspection.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance, the engineer will advise on what should be done to ensure its safe use. If an appliance is deemed to be Immediately Dangerous or Abnormally Lethal, the gas supply must be turned off until the problem has been solved.
If a tenant refuses to allow access for gas security checks to be conducted it is an offence that is criminal. A landlord can apply to the courts for an injunction should it be necessary, but it is generally more efficient to simply send a strongly written letter stating the reason why the checks are carried out and what they'll involve. This should encourage tenants who are hesitant to allow access to the house. If landlord gas safety certificate and boiler service has to begin the eviction process.
How often should I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agencies are required by law to conduct an annual gas safety check on all flues and gas appliances that they supply to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe to use and that there aren't any gas leaks within the property. This is a crucial responsibility and landlords should be sure to are inspected for gas 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 within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and must be provided to the tenant in order to demonstrate the safety of gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and needs to be renewed each year.
A landlord who fails to provide an Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. It is therefore essential for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out in a timely manner and to keep a copy the certificate in case a tenant requests it.
Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea since it allows engineers to easily access the appliances for annual inspections. The engineer will categorise the appliance as 'at-risk' and may suggest that tenants refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.
The landlords should also ensure that they give their tenants a minimum of 24 hours notice prior to when they are allowed to enter the property to conduct Gas Safety checks. This gives tenants time to prepare for the visit and grant permission if needed. If a tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord should inform them why it is necessary and what will happen if they don't follow through. If the tenant continues to refuse, then the landlord should think about evicting them under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if I don't receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal responsibility of landlords to ensure that their property has an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into. Failure to do this is an offence that can cause landlords to be charged and liable to heavy fines. The regulations require that landlords must also provide copies of the 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 all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will take note of any issues that could cause a threat to 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 all tenants should take possession of and keep. It contains information about the gas installations in the rental property, as well as details about when they were last tested and when they expire. It can help tenants spot any issues with the appliances or installation and make sure that they know how to contact an 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 engineer's visit to their property. The landlord must also provide an original copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords who fail to provide a copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted in accordance with the regulations and could face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
In the same way landlords must make sure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their properties and have them tested each month. The landlord is responsible for fixing any alarm that doesn't work. This applies to private landlords, councils and housing associations, as well as licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017 In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was illegal for landlords to issue Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid gas Safety Certificate. The decision was by reference to the law which states that landlords of assured shorthold tenancies must have a record of their gas safety for their property prior to the time tenants move into the property.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that the gas appliances, flues, and pipework within their properties are safe for tenants. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To comply with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks of all gas appliances and flues they supply for use in the property. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be filled out by a licensed Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also consider conducting a boiler inspection at the same time as the CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Landlords can usually get a combined CP12 and boiler service for a reasonable price from a qualified gas engineer, who can check the seals on boiler burners, inspect the flue system for leaks and cracks as well as clean the burner and heat exchanger and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes referred to by the term "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it's actually called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of safety inspections, and specifics about any issues or actions that must be addressed. Landlords must give their tenants 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 permit Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property for safety inspections and maintenance. It is crucial to educate tenants about the importance of allowing gas engineers access to the property and explain that the engineer's presence is necessary to safeguard them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If a tenant is hesitant to permit access, it's the landlord or letting agent's responsibility to clarify the legal obligations in writing, and follow by visiting the property to force entry if needed.
Tenants should always see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before letting them in to ensure that they're competent to work on the gas systems in your home and is able to complete the gas safety inspection efficiently and effectively. Be aware that a gas engineer can legally disconnect faulty equipment or cut off the gas supply in case of need.