Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, flues and chimneys undergo annual inspections. You should also give a copy of the report to your tenants.
If the engineer believes that any installation or appliance is imminently dangerous they will ask permission to shut off the supply of gas and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that demonstrates that the gas appliances in the rental property and flues have been inspected by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange a gas check for each rental property that they own at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry out the inspection and check that all pipework, appliances and flues comply 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. The certificate should be given to tenants in the 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the beginning 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 contains the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, the results, any steps required to be taken, and the name and the title of the engineer that conducted the inspection.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas device the engineer will provide advice on what should be done to ensure its safe use. If a device is deemed dangerous immediately or abnormally lethal the gas supply needs to be disconnected until the problem has been resolved.
If a tenant is unwilling to allow access for the gas safety checks to be completed the tenant is guilty of an infraction that is punishable by law. A landlord can apply to the courts for an injunction order if necessary, however it is generally easier to send a clearly written letter that explains why it is essential that the checks are made and what they will 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 do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
The landlords and letting agencies are legally required to carry out an annual gas safety check on all flues and gas appliances that they provide to tenants. This is done to ensure that the equipment is safe for them to use and that there are no gas leaks in the building. Gas inspections are an essential obligation for landlords and they must ensure that they are completed by a licensed engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document which affirms that an engineer has completed a gas inspection in the last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord, and should be provided to the tenant as proof of the security of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and has to be renewed annually.
If a landlord is unable to provide their tenants with a Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be fined by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be completed by landlords in time. They should also keep a copy in the event that tenants request it.
Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea because it lets engineers gain access to the appliances to conduct annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be 'at risk' during an inspection the engineer will categorise it as such and will shut off the boiler and recommend that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch is installed.
The landlords should also ensure that they provide their tenants with at least 24 hours notice before they visit the property to perform Gas Safety checks. This gives tenants time to prepare for the visit and provide permission, if required. If a tenant does not allow entry to the engineer the landlord must explain the reason why it is necessary and what happens if the tenant refused. If the tenant does not allow the engineer entry, the landlord could think about evicting the tenant in accordance with section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if you don't own a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal obligation of a landlord to ensure that their property has an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move in. Failure to adhere to the law can lead to a landlord being prosecuted or fined heavily. The regulations require that landlords are required to 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 the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will note any problems that could pose a danger to tenants. The engineer will issue an CP12 Gas Safety Document, which is also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is a crucial document that every tenant should take possession of and keep. It contains information on the gas appliances in a rented property, as well as details about when they were last tested and when they expire. It can help tenants spot any issues with their appliances or installation and ensure that they are aware of how to contact 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 date that the engineer visits their property. They must also provide a copy the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy starts. Landlords who do not provide a copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted under the regulations and may be subject to unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.
The same way, landlords should ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their homes and have them tested each month. The landlord is responsible for repairing any alarm that doesn't work. This is applicable to councils, private landlords, 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 serve Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid gas Safety Certificate. MK Gas Safety was based on the law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold leases to obtain a gas safety certificate for their property before tenants move into it.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that gas appliances, flues, and pipework in the homes they lease out are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. To ensure compliance with the regulations landlords must conduct annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues they provide to tenants. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, and it has to be completed by a certified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
It's also a good idea for landlords to look into having the boiler service completed at the same time as the CP12 inspection, since this will ensure that all the gas appliances are operating in a safe and efficient manner. Landlords can usually obtain a combined CP12 and boiler service at an affordable price from a professional gas engineer who will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners, inspect the flue system for leaks and cracks cleaning the heat exchanger and burner and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes called "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it actually is known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It includes the results of the safety checks, as well as details of any problems or actions that should be taken care of. 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 allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It is essential to inform tenants about the importance of permitting gas engineers access to the property and explain that the engineer's job is to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to permit access, the landlord or agent must state the legal requirements in writing. Then, they should visit the property and force entry if necessary.
Tenants should always ask to see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to letting them in to prove that they're competent to work on the gas systems in your home and is able to complete the gas safety test efficiently and efficiently. Be aware that a gas technician can legally remove the malfunctioning equipment or cut off your gas supply if needed.