Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances chimneys, flues and chimneys are inspected annually. The law also requires you provide a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer considers an appliance or installation to be immediately hazardous, they will request permission to cut off the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches be installed.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is an official document that proves that all gas appliances and flues within the property that is rented have been checked by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are legally obliged to conduct a gas safety inspection once per year for each rental property they own. The inspection is performed by an Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all of the pipework appliances, flues, and pipes are in good working condition and that they comply with the safety regulations.
Landlords are also required by law to give their tenants an original copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) following each annual gas safety inspection and test. The certificate should be given to tenants in the 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the beginning of their tenure.
CP12 is an abbreviation of 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 outlines the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, the results, any actions that need to be taken, as well as the name and title of the engineer who conducted the test.
The engineer will offer advice if the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will include the items that need to be addressed to make it safe to use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediate danger or abnormally lethal, the gas supply must be turned off until the problem is solved.
If a tenant refuses to permit access to the gas security checks to be conducted the tenant is guilty of an offence that is criminal. A landlord can apply to the courts for an injunction in the event of need, but it is generally more efficient to send a clearly written letter that explains the reason why the checks are made and what they will involve. This should encourage the tenant who is hesitant to let access to the property. If not, the landlord will need to start the eviction procedure.
How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
The law requires that landlords and letting agents are required to conduct an annual safety check of the chimneys and gas appliances that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe to use and that there aren't any gas leaks within the property. This is an essential obligation and landlords must be sure to have their gas inspections completed by a licensed gas engineer.
how much gas safety certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is legal document that confirms that a gas inspection has been conducted by a qualified engineer in the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and should be provided to the tenant to verify the safety of gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and has to be renewed annually.
A landlord who fails to provide an Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. It is therefore essential for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out on time and to keep a copy of the documentation in case a tenant requests it.
Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea, since it allows engineers to gain access to the appliances for annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be in danger during an inspection the engineer will declare it to be at risk and may disconnect the boiler and recommend that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords must also provide their tenants with at least 24 hours' notice before entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows tenants time to plan their inspection and request permission if needed. If a tenant is unwilling to permit the engineer to enter the landlord should send a letter to them explaining why it is necessary and what will happen if they don't follow through. If the tenant is still refusing 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 essence it's a landlord's legal duty to ensure their property has a valid gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into. In the absence of this, it's an offense that could cause landlords to be charged and liable to heavy fines. The regulations require that landlords must also furnish copies of gas safety records to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property of the landlord to perform an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, the engineer will note any issues that could cause a threat for tenants. The engineer will then 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 crucial document that every tenant must keep. It includes information about the gas installations in the rental property as well as information regarding when they last tested and when they expire. It can help tenants spot any issues with their appliances or installations and ensure they know how to contact a Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords must provide a gas safety report to their tenants, new and current within 28 days of the date that the engineer has visited their property. They must also provide a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy commences. Landlords who fail in providing the copy of the gas certificate may be prosecuted and face unlimited fines or six months in prison.
The same way, landlords should ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their properties and have them checked every month. If the alarm isn't working, the landlord should make the necessary repairs. The rules around this are applicable to private, council and housing association landlords and also to licensable houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In June 2017 the High Court ruled that it was illegal for landlords to serve Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official gas Safety Certificate. The decision was made based on the law that stipulates 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 obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are required by law to ensure that the gas appliances, flues and pipework in their homes are safe for tenants. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. In order to comply with these regulations, landlords must arrange annual gas checks on all the gas appliances and flues they install within the property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be completed by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It is also an excellent idea for landlords to look into having an annual boiler service performed at the same time as the CP12 inspection, as this will help ensure that all the gas appliances are operating correctly and safely. Landlords are usually able to receive a combination CP12 and boiler service for an affordable cost from a qualified gas engineer. They will be able to check the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for leaks and cracks cleaning the burner and heat exchanger and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes called "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it actually is known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of all the safety checks and the details of any actions or problems that require attention. Landlords must provide their tenants a CP12 document not later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is crucial that the landlord or letting agent only permit Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises to conduct safety checks and for maintenance. It is essential to inform tenants on the importance of allowing gas engineers access to the property and explain that the engineer's job is to safeguard them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to permit access, it's the landlord or letting agent's responsibility to clarify the legal obligations in writing, and follow with a visit to the property to force entry if necessary.
Tenants must always request to be shown a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to letting them in, as this will prove that they are properly qualified to work on the gas systems in your home and can be trusted to complete the gas safety inspection efficiently and efficiently. You should also be aware that a gas engineer is able to legally disconnect defective equipment or shut off the gas supply in case of need.