Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As an owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, flues and chimneys undergo annual checks. The law also requires you provide a copy the check to your tenants.
If the engineer deems any appliance or installation as being immediately hazardous, they will ask permission to disconnect the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches be put in place.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that proves that the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been examined by a licensed gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange an annual gas inspection for each rental property that they have at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry out the inspection and check that all pipework, appliances and flues are in compliance with safety standards.
Landlords are also required by law to provide tenants with 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 tenancy.
CP12 is an abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was used by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) prior to being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form shows the date of the last gas inspection and tests and the results of these tests, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, and the name of the engineer who carried out the test.
right here will offer advice on the spot if the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will include what needs to be corrected to make it safe to use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediate danger or Abnormally Lethal, the gas supply will need to be turned off until the problem is solved.
If a tenant refuses to allow access for gas security checks to be conducted the tenant is guilty of an infraction that is punishable by law. If necessary, a landlord can ask the courts for a court order to stop the tenant from refusing to allow gas safety checks. However, it is usually easier to send a letter that describes why the check is essential and what will be involved. This should entice a tenant who is reluctant to allow access to the house. If not, the landlord will need to start the eviction procedure.
How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agencies are legally required to carry out an annual gas safety check on all gas appliances and flues that they supply to tenants. This is done to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and that there are no gas leaks in the building. Gas inspections are an essential obligation for landlords, and they must ensure they are completed by a licensed engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document that confirms 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 safety of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and needs to be renewed annually.
If a landlord is unable to provide their tenants with an Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be punished by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be completed by landlords in time. They should keep a copy in case tenants ask for it.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to install inspection hatches on all gas appliances so that the engineers can easily access them for annual inspections. The engineer will label the appliance as being at-risk and may suggest that tenants stop using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords must also ensure that they provide their tenants with at least 24 hours notice prior to when they visit the property to carry out Gas Safety checks. This allows tenants time to prepare and request permission if they need. If a tenant refuses to permit the engineer to enter the landlord should inform them why it is necessary and what happens in the event that they do not comply. If the tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord can decide to evict the tenant under section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if I don't receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal responsibility of landlords to ensure that their property has a gas safety certificate valid before tenants move into. Infractions to the law can lead to the landlord being charged or being fined a significant amount. The regulations also state that landlords must give a copy of the gas safety record to their tenants on request.
Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property for a gas check on all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will be able to identify any issues that may pose a risk to tenants. They will then issue an CP12 gas safety document, which is known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is a very important document that every tenant must keep. It contains information about the gas appliances in a rental property and also details on when they were last tested and when they expire. It can help tenants identify any issues with the appliances or installation and ensure they are aware of how to reach a Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords must provide the gas safety report to their tenants, both new and current within 28 days of the date that the engineer has visited their property. They must also give a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy begins. 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.
Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms. They can also arrange for them to be tested every month. If the alarm is not working, the landlord should make the necessary repairs. This is the case for councils, private landlords, and housing associations, and also licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017 in June 2017, the High Court decided that it was unlawful for landlords to issue Section 21 notices if they did not provide their tenants with an official gas safety certificate. The decision was in accordance with the law that states that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must obtain a record of their gas safety for their property prior to the time tenants move into.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework within the properties they lease out are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 deal with this. To ensure compliance with the regulations landlords must conduct annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues that they install to tenants. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and it must be completed by a certified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
It is also an excellent idea for landlords to think about having the boiler service completed at the same time as the CP12 inspection, since it will help ensure that all the gas appliances are operating in a safe and efficient manner. Landlords are usually able to obtain a combined CP12 and boiler service for an affordable cost from a qualified gas engineer. They can check the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for leaks and cracks cleaning the burner and heat exchanger and conduct general maintenance.
The CP12 document is commonly called the 'landlord's gas safety certificate', but it is actually 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 provide their tenants the CP12 document not later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is important that landlords and letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property for safety inspections and maintenance. It is essential to inform tenants on the importance of allowing gas engineers access to the property. They should explain that the engineer's job is to protect them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is reluctant to permit access, it's the landlord or letting agent's responsibility explain the legal responsibilities in writing and then follow up with a visit to the property to compel entry if needed.
Tenants should always have a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to entering the premises, as this will prove that they're qualified to work on your home's gas systems and can be trusted to complete the gas safety check efficiently and efficiently. You should also be aware that a gas engineer can legally shut off defective equipment or shut off the gas supply in case of need.