Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As an owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, flues and chimneys are inspected annually. It is also your responsibility to provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer considers that a particular appliance or installation is immediately dangerous, they will request permission to disconnect gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A landlord gas safety certificate is a document that demonstrates that the gas appliances in the rental property and flues have been examined by a qualified gas engineer. The landlord must arrange for a gas check for each rental property that they own at least once a year. The inspection is carried out by an Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all pipes, appliances, and flues are in good working order and in compliance with safety standards.
Landlords are also legally required to give their tenants an original copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) after each annual gas safety inspection and test. This must be given to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the beginning of their lease.
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 shows the date of the last gas inspection and tests and the results of these, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, and the name of the engineer who carried out the inspection.
The engineer will provide advice in the event that the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will include the items that need to be fixed so that it is safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediately dangerous or Abnormally Lethal, the gas supply must be disconnected until the issue has been fixed.
If a tenant does not permit access to the gas security checks to be conducted the tenant is guilty of an infraction that is punishable by law. If needed landlords can apply to the courts for a court order to enjoin the tenant from refusing to allow gas safety checks. However, do i need a gas safety certificate is more common to send a letter which clarifies why the checks are vital and what is involved. This will make a tenant more hesitant to let access in, and in the event that they do not, the landlord may have to think about starting the process of eviction.
How often should I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
By law, landlords and let agents are required by law to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on the chimneys and gas appliances they offer to their tenants. This is done to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and that there are no gas leaks in the building. This is an essential obligation and landlords must ensure that they have their gas inspections completed by a certified gas 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 past 12 months. It is given to the landlord and should be given to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months and has to be renewed every year.
If a landlord does not provide their tenants with a Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be penalized by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be completed by landlords in time. certificate cost should also keep a copy in case tenants request it.
It is also a good idea for landlords to put inspection hatches on all gas appliances so that the engineers can easily access them for inspections every year. The engineer will classify the appliance as being at-risk and may recommend that the tenant refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords must also ensure that they give their tenants at least 24 hours notice prior to the time they visit the property to perform Gas Safety checks. This will allow tenants to prepare for the visit and give permission if needed. If a tenant does not allow the engineer access the landlord must write to them explaining why it is necessary and what happens if they don't comply. If the tenant continues to refuse the engineer entry, then the landlord must look into evicting them pursuant to section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if you don't have 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 into. Failure to comply with this law can result in the landlord being charged or fined heavily. The regulations also state that landlords must provide a copy of the gas safety certificate 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, an engineer will be able to identify any issues that could pose a risk to tenants. The engineer will issue a CP12 Gas Safety Document, which is also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is a very important document that every tenant should keep. This document provides information on gas installations in a rental home and the dates they were tested and their expiration dates. It can help tenants spot any issues with the appliances or installations and ensure that they are aware of how to reach an Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords must give the gas safety report to their tenants, current and new within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. They must also provide a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy commences. Landlords who fail to provide the copy of the gas certificate may be prosecuted and face unlimited fines or six months in prison.
Similar to this, landlords should ensure that carbon monoxide detectors work in their properties and arrange for them being tested every month. The landlord is accountable for repairing an alarm that does not work. This is applicable to private landlords, councils and housing associations and also licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017, the High Court decided that it was illegal for landlords to issue Section 21 notices if they did not provide their tenants with an official gas safety certificate. The ruling was 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 do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework in the homes they rent out are safe. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To be in compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues they provide for use in the property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be filled out by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also consider conducting a boiler inspection simultaneously with the CP12 inspection. This will ensure that the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Landlords can typically receive a combination CP12 and boiler service at a reasonable 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 burner and heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 is often referred to by the term "landlord's gas safety certificate" but it actually is called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of safety checks, as well as specifics about any issues or actions that should be addressed. Landlords are required to give 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 access the property to conduct safety checks and for maintenance. It is a good idea to inform tenants of the importance of allowing access and explaining that the gas engineer is there to ensure they are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If a tenant is hesitant to permit access it is the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility clarify the legal obligations in writing, and follow up with a visit to the property to compel 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 to 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 is also important to know that a gas engineer is able to legally remove the malfunctioning equipment or cut off your gas supply should it be required.