Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, chimneys and flues are regularly inspected. You must also provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer considers an device or installation to be immediately dangerous, they will request permission to cut off the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches are installed.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A landlord's gas safety certificate is an official document that proves that all gas appliances and flues within the rental property were inspected by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are legally obliged to conduct a gas safety inspection annually for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and verify that all pipes, appliances and flues are in compliance with safety regulations.
Landlords are also required by law to give their tenants copies of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) following each annual gas safety inspection and test. This should be given to tenants within 28 days following the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their lease.
CP12 is the abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 that was used by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form contains the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, the results, any actions that need to be taken, and the name and the title of the engineer who conducted the check.
The engineer will give advice on the spot if the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will include the items that need to be fixed in order to ensure it is safe to use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediate danger or Abnormally Lethal, the gas supply will need to be disconnected until the issue is resolved.
If a tenant does not allow access for the gas security checks to be conducted it is a criminal offence. If necessary landlords can apply to the courts for a court order to enjoin the tenant from refusing to allow gas safety inspections. However, landlord gas safety certificates 's more common to send a letter that describes why the check is vital and what is involved. This should encourage a reluctant tenant to let access in, and in the event that they do not, the landlord may be required to begin the process of eviction.
How often should I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
By law, landlords and agents for letting are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection of the chimneys and gas appliances they offer to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe to use and that there aren't any leaks of gas in the property. This is a vitally important obligation and landlords must make sure that they have their gas inspections completed by a certified gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document which affirms that an engineer has completed a gas check within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and must be presented to the tenant in order to demonstrate the safety of gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months and must be renewed every year.
A landlord who does not provide an Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. It is therefore vital for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out on time and to keep a copy of the certificate in case a tenant requests it.
Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea, because it lets engineers easily access the appliances for annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be 'at risk' during an inspection the engineer will declare it to be at risk and may disconnect the boiler and advise that the tenant refrain from using it until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords must also provide their tenants with at least 24 hours' notice prior entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows the tenants to prepare for the visit and grant permission if needed. If a tenant is unwilling to permit the engineer to enter the landlord must send a letter to them explaining why it is necessary and what happens if they don't follow through. If the tenant still refuses the engineer entry, then the landlord must think about evicting them under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if I don't receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal responsibility of a landlord to ensure that their property is equipped with an approved gas safety certificate before tenants move into. Failing to do so is an offense that could cause landlords to be punished with severe fines. The regulations state that landlords must also furnish copies of gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to conduct an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will take note of any issues that may 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 crucial document that every tenant must be able to access and keep. This document contains information about gas installations in rental properties as well as the date they were tested and expiration dates. It can assist tenants in identifying problems with appliances or installations and ensure that they know how contact the Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.
Landlords are required to provide their current and new tenants with a gas safety inspection report within 28 days of the engineer's visit to their property. The landlord must also provide a copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenancy. Landlords who do not provide a copy of the gas safety certificate can be prosecuted in accordance with the regulations and face unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.
The same way landlords must make sure that carbon monoxide detectors are in operation in their properties and make arrangements for them to be tested each month. If the alarm is not working, the landlord should repair it. This applies to councils, private landlords, and housing associations as well as licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017 In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was unlawful for landlords to serve Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official gas Safety Certificate. The decision was based upon a law that requires landlords with assured shorthold tenancies to obtain a gas safety certification for their property prior to the time tenants move into it.
How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework within their properties are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 regulate this. To comply with the regulations landlords must conduct annual gas checks of all gas appliances and flues they supply for use in the property. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, and it has to be completed by a qualified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also consider conducting a boiler inspection at the same time as a CP12 inspection. This will ensure that the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Gas engineers can provide an integrated CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable price. They will check the seals of boiler burners and look for leaks and cracks in the flue system, clean the heat exchanger and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 document is commonly referred to as the 'landlord gas safety certificate', but it is actually the Gas Safety Record documentation. It outlines the outcomes of all the safety checks and the details of any actions or issues that need to be resolved. Landlords must give their tenants a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
It is crucial that landlords or letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It is essential to inform tenants on the importance of allowing gas engineers access to their property and explain that the engineer's presence is necessary to protect them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant does not allow access, the landlord or agent must state the legal requirements in writing. They should then visit the property and force entry if required.
Tenants must always request to see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before letting them in to prove that they are properly qualified to work on the gas systems in your home and is able to complete the gas safety check efficiently and effectively. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally allowed to disconnect faulty equipment and can shut off gas lines if necessary.