Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys undergo annual inspections. The law also requires that you give a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer considers that a particular appliance or installation is imminently dangerous, they will request permission to disconnect gas supply and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is an official document that certifies that all gas appliances and flues within the rental property have been checked by an accredited gas engineer. Landlords are legally obliged to conduct a gas safety inspection annually for each rental property they own. The inspection is conducted by an Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all pipework and appliances as well as flues are in good working condition and that they are in compliance with safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to give tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) at the time of every annual inspection and test for gas safety. This must be given to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the start of their tenancy.
CP12 is an abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 which was employed by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) prior to being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form identifies the date of the last gas inspection and tests as well as the results of these tests, any issues or actions that need to be addressed, and the name of the engineer who carried out the check.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas device, the engineer will advise on what needs to be done to ensure its safe use. If an appliance is deemed to be immediately dangerous or Abnormally Lethal the gas supply must be shut off until the issue has been resolved.
It is a crime for a tenant to refuse to let the gas safety inspection to be carried out. A landlord can apply to the courts for an injunction order if necessary, however it is usually much easier to simply send a strongly written letter that explains why it is essential that the checks are carried out and what they'll involve. This will encourage tenants who are hesitant to let access to the property. If not the landlord is not willing, he will have to begin the eviction process.
How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agents are required by law to carry out an annual gas safety inspection on all gas appliances and flues that are supplied to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and that there aren't any leaks of gas in the property. Gas inspections are a vital obligation for landlords, and they must ensure they are carried out by a licensed 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 last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord and must be given to the tenant as proof of the security of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and needs to be renewed every year.
If a landlord does not provide their tenants with an Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be penalized by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be performed by landlords on time. gas safety certificate landlord should also keep a copy of the certificate in case tenants request it.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances so that engineers can easily access them for inspections every year. The engineer will label the appliance as 'at-risk' and may suggest that the tenant refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords must also ensure that they provide their tenants with a minimum of 24 hours notice before they enter the property to conduct Gas Safety checks. This allows the tenants to prepare for the visit and grant permission if needed. If a tenant does not allow the engineer access, the landlord should 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?
In essence it's a landlord's legal duty to ensure their property has an approved gas safety certificate before tenants move in. Failure to do this is an offence that can lead to landlords being charged and liable to heavy fines. The regulations also stipulate that a landlord must provide a copy of the gas safety report to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord in order to perform a gas inspection on all gas appliances. During the inspection, a Gas Safe registered engineer will be able to identify any issues that could pose a risk to tenants. They will then issue an CP12 gas safety certificate, which is known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is a vital piece of documentation that all tenants should take possession of and keep. This document contains information about gas installations in rental properties and the dates they were tested as well as their expiration dates. It can assist tenants in identifying problems with appliances or installations and make sure that they are aware of how to contact a Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.
Landlords are required to provide a gas safety report to their tenants, both new and existing within 28 days of the date that the engineer has visited their property. The landlord must also give the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenancy. Landlords that fail to provide the the gas certificate can be prosecuted and could face unlimited fines, or six months in prison.
Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange that they be tested each month. The landlord is responsible for fixing an alarm that does not 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 based upon the law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to have a gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move into it.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework in their properties are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 deal with this. In order to comply with the regulations, landlords are required to arrange annual gas checks on all the gas appliances and flues that they supply for use within the property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate and it must be completed by a licensed Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should consider conducting a boiler inspection simultaneously with the CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Gas engineers can offer an integrated CP12 inspection and boiler service for a reasonable price. They will inspect the boiler burner's seals, inspect for cracks and leaks in the flue system and clean the heat exchanger and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 is often known as "landlord's gas safety certificate" however it actually is called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It includes the results of the safety checks, as well as details of any problems or actions that need to be addressed. Landlords are required to give their tenants a CP12 document within 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It's important that the landlord or letting agent only permit Gas Safe registered engineers to access the property for safety checks and maintenance. It's a good idea inform tenants about the importance of allowing access and explaining that the gas engineer is there to protect them from carbon monoxide poisoning. If Recommended Online site is unwilling to permit access it is the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility to clarify the legal obligations 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 entering the property. This will confirm that the engineer is qualified to work on your home's systems and can therefore be trusted to carry out the safety check. You should also be aware that a gas engineer can legally remove faulty equipment or cut off the gas supply in case of need.