Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As an owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, flues and chimneys undergo annual checks. You should also give a copy of the report to your tenants.
If the engineer deems any device or installation to be immediately dangerous, they will ask for 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 which demonstrates that all the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a licensed gas engineer. Landlords are legally obliged to organize a gas safety check annually for each rental property they own. The inspection is conducted by an Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all pipework, appliances, and flues are in good working condition and that they comply 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) at the end of each year's 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 tenancy.
CP12 is the abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 that was employed by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form includes the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their results, any steps that must be taken, and the name and name of the engineer that conducted the test.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance, the engineer will advise on what must be done to make it safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediate danger or abnormally lethal, the gas supply must be shut off until the issue is solved.
If a tenant refuses to allow access for the gas safety checks to be completed the tenant is guilty of an infraction that is punishable by law. If necessary the landlord has the right to ask the courts for an order to enjoin the tenant from preventing the gas safety checks. However, it is usually easier to write a letter that describes why the check is vital and what is required. This will encourage the tenant who is hesitant to allow access to the property. If not the landlord has to begin the eviction process.
How often should I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
In the law, landlords and agents for letting are required to conduct an annual safety check of all gas appliances and chimneys that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and there are no gas leaks within the property. This is an essential obligation and landlords must make sure that they are inspected for gas by a certified gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document which indicates that an engineer completed a gas inspection in the last 12 months. It is given to the landlord and must be given to the tenant to prove the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months, and must be renewed annually.
A landlord who fails to provide a Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. Gas Safety checks must be carried out by landlords on time. the original source should also keep a copy of the certificate in case tenants request it.
It is also an excellent idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances so that engineers can easily access the hatches 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 will shut off the boiler and advise that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords should also make sure that they give their tenants at least 24 hours notice prior to the time they enter the property to perform Gas Safety checks. This gives tenants time to prepare for the visit and give permission if necessary. If a tenant does not allow the engineer's entry the landlord must explain the reason for this and what will happen in the event that the tenant refuses. 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 you don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
In essence it is the landlord's legal obligation to ensure that their home has an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into the property. In the absence of this, it's an offense that could lead to landlords being prosecuted and subject to severe fines. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must provide an original copy of their gas safety record to their tenants on request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord to conduct a gas inspection on 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 then issue an CP12 Gas Safety Document, also known as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is a crucial piece of documentation that all tenants should take possession of and keep. It contains information about the gas installations in the rental property as well as information regarding when they last checked and the expiry dates. It can help tenants spot any issues with the installation or appliances and ensure they know how to reach an Gas Safe engineer to have them tested.
Landlords are required to provide an inspection report on gas safety to their tenants, new and existing within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. They must also provide a copy the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy starts. Landlords who fail in providing the the gas certificate may be charged and face unlimited fines or six months in prison.
Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms. They should also arrange that they be tested each month. If the alarm is not working, the landlord must fix it. The rules for this apply to council, private and housing association landlords, as well as licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
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 a valid gas safety certification. The decision was made in accordance with the law that stipulates that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must obtain an approved gas safety certificate for their property before tenants move into the property.
How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally responsible for ensuring that gas appliances, flues and pipework in the properties they lease are safe. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To ensure compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks of all gas appliances and flues that they install to tenants. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and must be completed by a qualified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also consider performing a boiler inspection at the same time as the CP12 inspection. This will ensure that the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Gas engineers can provide the combination CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable price. They will check the boiler burner's seals as well as look for leaks and cracks in the flue system and clean the heat exchanger and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 document is often known as the 'landlord's gas safety certificate' although it is officially called the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of all safety checks and details of any actions or problems that need to 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 is important that landlords and letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It is essential to inform tenants about the importance of allowing gas engineers access to their property and explain that the engineer's job is to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is reluctant to allow access it's the landlord's or letting agent's duty to clarify the legal obligations in writing, and follow by visiting the property to compel entry if needed.
Tenants should always see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to entering the premises, as this will prove that they are properly qualified to work on the gas systems in your home and is able to complete the gas safety inspection efficiently and effectively. It is also important to know that a gas technician can legally disconnect faulty equipment or cut off your gas supply if needed.