Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, chimneys and flues are inspected every year. The law also requires you provide a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer determines that a particular appliance or installation is imminently dangerous the engineer will request permission to disconnect the supply of gas and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that proves that all of the gas appliances and flues have been examined by a certified gas engineer. landlord gas safety certificate how often are legally required arrange a gas safety check once per year for each rental property they own. The inspection is carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all of the pipework and appliances as well as flues are in good working condition and that they are in compliance with safety regulations.
Landlords are also legally required to give their tenants copies of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) at the end of each year's gas safety inspection and test. This should be given to tenants within 28 days following the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their lease.
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 shows the date of the last gas inspection and tests and the results of these tests, any actions or issues that need to be addressed, as well as the name of the engineer who carried out the check.
The engineer will give advice in the event that the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be addressed so that it is safe for use. If a device is deemed dangerous immediately or abnormally lethal the gas supply should be turned off until the issue is fixed.
If a tenant does not allow access for gas security checks to be conducted the tenant is guilty of an offence that is criminal. If necessary the landlord has the right to ask the courts for a court order to stop the tenant from refusing to allow gas safety checks. However, it is more common to write a letter that describes why the check is essential and what will be involved. This can make a tenant more hesitant to give access, and if not, the landlord might need to consider starting the eviction process.
How often should I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agents are required by law to carry out an annual gas safety check on all flues and gas appliances that are supplied to tenants. This is to ensure that the equipment is safe for them to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks in the building. This is an essential responsibility for landlords and they should ensure that they are inspected for gas by a certified gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is an official document that proves that an inspection of the gas supply has been completed by a qualified engineer within the last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord and should be handed over to the tenant as proof of the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months and has to be renewed every year.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants with a Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be punished by the local authority. It is therefore crucial for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out at a timely basis and to keep a copy of the documentation in case a tenant requests it.
It is also an excellent idea for landlords to install inspection hatches on all gas appliances so that engineers can easily access the hatches for annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be in danger during an inspection, the engineer will formally classify it as such and will shut off the boiler and advise that tenants not to use it until the inspection hatch is installed.
The landlords should also ensure that they give tenants a minimum of 24 hours notice before they enter the property to perform Gas Safety checks. This allows tenants to plan their inspection and request permission if needed. If a tenant is refusing entry to the engineer, the landlord must explain why this is necessary and what happens in the event that the tenant refuses. If the tenant continues to refuse, then the landlord should consider evicting them using section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What is the consequence if you don't possess a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal responsibility of a landlord to ensure that their property is equipped with a gas safety certificate valid prior to the time tenants move in. Infractions to the law can lead to the landlord being prosecuted or fined severely. The regulations stipulate that landlords must also provide copies of gas safety records to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to conduct an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will be able to identify any issues that may cause a threat to tenants. The engineer will then 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 every tenant should get a hold of and keep. It contains information on the gas installations of a rental property and also details on when they were last checked and the expiry dates. It can help tenants identify any issues with the installation or appliances and ensure they are aware of how to contact a Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords are required to provide their tenants, both new and existing, with a gas safety report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. The landlord must also give the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenure. Landlords who do not provide a copy of the gas safety certificate may 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 in operation in their properties and have them checked every month. The landlord is responsible for fixing the problem if the alarm does not work. The rules around this are applicable 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 serve 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 obtain an approved gas safety certificate for their property before tenants move in.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that gas appliances, flues and pipework within the properties they lease out are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. To be in compliance with these regulations, landlords must organize annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues that they provide for use within the property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate. It must be filled out by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It's also recommended for landlords to consider having an annual boiler service performed simultaneously with the CP12 inspection, as it will help ensure that all the gas appliances are functioning correctly and safely. Gas engineers can offer a combined CP12 inspection and boiler service for a reasonable price. They will examine the boiler burner's seals as well as look for leaks and cracks in the flue system, clean the heat exchanger, and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 document is commonly referred to as the 'landlord gas safety certificate', but it is actually the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of all the safety checks and details of any actions or problems that need to 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 or letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers to access the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It is a good idea to inform tenants of the necessity of allowing access, and explaining that the gas engineer is there to help keep them safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant does not permit access the agent or landlord must state the legal requirements in writing. Then, they should visit the property and force entry if needed.
Tenants must always request to have a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to they allow them into the home, as this will prove that they are properly qualified to work on your home's gas systems and is able to complete the gas safety test efficiently and efficiently. Be aware that a gas engineer can legally shut off the malfunctioning equipment or cut off your gas supply if needed.