Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances chimneys, flues and chimneys are regularly inspected. Info is also your responsibility to give a copy of the report to your tenants.
If the engineer deems any appliance or installation as being immediately dangerous they will ask permission to disconnect the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches be installed.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that demonstrates that all of the gas appliances in the rental property and flues have been inspected by a licensed gas engineer. Landlords must arrange a gas check for each rental property they own at least once per year. The inspection is performed by a Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all pipes appliances, flues, and pipes are in good working condition and that they comply with safety standards.
Landlords are also legally required to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) following each annual gas safety inspection and test. The certificate should be given to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the beginning of their tenancy.
CP12 is the abbreviation for 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, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, and the name of the person who conducted the test.
The engineer will offer advice on the spot if the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will include the items that need to be addressed so that it is safe for use. If an appliance is deemed to be immediate danger or Abnormally Lethal the gas supply will have to be shut off until the issue has been resolved.
It is a crime to a tenant who refuses to allow the gas safety inspection to be conducted. A landlord can ask the courts for an injunction if necessary, however it is generally more efficient to send a clearly written letter stating the reasons why it is crucial that the checks are conducted and what they'll involve. This will make a tenant more hesitant to give access, and if not, the landlord may be required to begin the process of eviction.
How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
The landlords and letting agencies are legally required to conduct an annual safety check on all gas appliances and flues that are supplied to their tenants. This is done to ensure that the equipment is safe for them to use and that there are no gas leaks in the property. Gas inspections are a crucial obligation for landlords and they must ensure that they are conducted by a qualified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document that affirms that an engineer has completed a gas inspection within the last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord and should be handed over to the tenant as proof of the security of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months, and has to be renewed each year.
If a landlord does not provide their tenants with the Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be fined by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be performed by landlords on time. They should also keep a copy of the certificate in case tenants request it.
It's also a good idea for landlords to put inspection hatches on all gas appliances, to allow engineers to easily access the hatches for annual inspections. The engineer will label the appliance as being at-risk and may suggest that the tenant refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords are also required to give tenants at least 24 hours' notice prior to entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This gives tenants time to plan their inspection and request permission if they need. If a tenant does not permit the engineer to enter, the landlord should inform them why the engineer is required and what will happen in the event that they do not comply. If the tenant continues to refuse, then the landlord should look into evicting them pursuant to section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if I don't receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
In short it is the landlord's legal obligation to ensure their property has a valid gas safety certification prior to the time tenants move into the property. Failure to comply with the law can lead to the landlord being charged or fined severely. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must provide an original copy of their gas safety report to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to perform an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will identify any issues that could be a threat to tenants. The engineer will issue the CP12 Gas Safety Document, which is also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is a vital piece of documentation that every tenant should be able to access and keep. The document contains information about gas installations in a rental property, including when they were tested and their expiration dates. It can assist tenants in identifying issues with their appliances or installations and ensure that they are aware of 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 report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. gas safety certificate duplicate must also provide a copy the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy commences. Landlords that fail to provide the 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 and can arrange that they be tested each month. The landlord is responsible for fixing any alarm that doesn't work. This is the case for private landlords, councils and housing associations, as well as licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017 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 a valid gas safety certificate. The ruling was based on the law that requires landlords with assured shorthold tenancies to have an official gas safety certificate for their property prior to when tenants move in.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that gas appliances, flues, and pipework in the properties they lease are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 deal with this. 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 called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, and it has to be signed by a licensed Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also consider having a boiler inspection done simultaneously with the CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are working properly and safely. Gas engineers can provide the combination CP12 inspection and boiler service for a reasonable price. They will inspect the boiler burner's seals and look for leaks and cracks within the flue system, clean the heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes referred to by the term "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it is actually known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It includes the results of the safety checks, as well as specifics of any issues or actions that need to be taken care of. Landlords are required to give tenants a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
It is important that landlords and letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It's a good idea to inform tenants of the necessity of allowing access, and explain that the gas engineer will ensure they are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If a tenant is hesitant to let access in it is the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility explain the legal responsibilities in writing and then follow by visiting the property to compel entry if needed.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to allowing them to enter the property. This will prove that the engineer is competent to work with the systems in your home and can therefore be trusted to perform the safety inspection. You should also be aware that a gas engineer can legally shut off defective equipment or shut off your gas supply should it be required.