Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances as well as chimneys and flues are inspected annually. discover this must also provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer believes that any installation or appliance is imminently dangerous they will ask permission to disconnect the supply of gas and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate issued by a landlord is an official document that proves that all gas appliances and flues in the property that is rented have been checked by an experienced gas engineer. Landlords are legally required organize a gas safety check once per year for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry out the inspection and check that all pipework, appliances and flues conform with safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) at the time of every annual inspection and test for gas safety. 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 the abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 that was employed by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form outlines the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, the results, any steps required to be taken, as well as the name and title of the engineer who performed the test.
The engineer will offer 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 corrected in order to ensure it is safe to use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediately dangerous or Abnormally Lethal the gas supply will have to be shut off until the issue has been fixed.
If a tenant does not allow access for the gas security checks to be conducted it is an offence that is criminal. If necessary landlords can apply to the courts for an order to prohibit the tenant from preventing the gas safety checks. However, it is more common to send a letter that explains why the checks are important and what's involved. This will encourage a tenant who is reluctant to allow access to the property. If not the landlord has to start the eviction procedure.
How often should I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
By law, landlords and let agents are required by law 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 for use and there are no leaks of gas in the property. Gas inspections are an essential obligation for landlords and they should ensure that they are carried out by a certified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document that indicates that an engineer completed a gas check within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord, and should be presented to the tenant to prove the safety of gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and has to be renewed every year.
If a landlord is unable to provide their tenants with the Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be punished by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be performed by landlords on time. They must keep a copy in case tenants ask for it.
Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea, since it allows engineers to easily access the appliances for their annual inspections. The engineer will label the appliance as being at-risk and may suggest that tenants refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords should also make sure that they give their tenants at least 24 hours notice before they visit the property to carry out Gas Safety checks. This will allow tenants to prepare for the visit and grant permission if needed. If a tenant is refusing the engineer's entry, the landlord must explain the reason for this and what would happen in the event that the tenant refuses. If the tenant continues to refuse, then the landlord should consider evicting them using section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if you don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
In short it's a landlord's legal duty to ensure that their home has a valid gas safety certification before tenants move into the property. Failure to do this is an offense that could lead to landlords being punished with severe fines. The regulations also state that landlords must provide an original copy of their gas safety certificate to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property for 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 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 piece of documentation that all tenants should get a hold of and keep. It contains information about the gas appliances in the rental property, as well as details on when they were last checked and the expiry dates. gas safety certificate check can help tenants identify any issues with the installation or appliances and ensure that they know how to contact an Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
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. The landlord must also give the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords who fail to provide a copy of the gas safety certificate can be prosecuted under the rules and face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
In the same way, landlords should ensure that carbon monoxide detectors work in their properties and have them tested every month. If the alarm is not working, the landlord should fix it. This is applicable to 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 illegal for landlords to issue Section 21 notices if they did not provide their tenants with a valid gas safety certificate. The decision was based on the 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 do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are legally responsible to make sure that the gas appliances, flues and pipework within their properties are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. To be in compliance with the regulations landlords must conduct annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues that they install for use in a property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate and it must be completed by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It is also an excellent idea for landlords to think about having an annual boiler service performed at the same time as the CP12 inspection, since this will ensure that all gas appliances are functioning correctly and safely. Landlords are usually able to get a combined CP12 and boiler service for a reasonable price from a qualified gas engineer. They will be able to check the seals on boiler burners. They will also inspect the flue system for leaks and cracks, clean the burner and heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 is often referred to by the term "landlord's gas safety certificate" but it's actually called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It includes the results of the safety tests, as well as details of any problems or actions that need to be addressed. Landlords must give their tenants a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
It's important that the landlords or letting agents permit Gas Safe registered engineers to visit the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It is essential to inform tenants about the importance of allowing gas engineers access to the property. They should explain that the engineer's presence is necessary to safeguard them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is reluctant to let access in 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 force entry if necessary.
Tenants should always ask to see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before letting them in to prove that they're qualified to work on the gas systems in your home and is able to complete the gas safety inspection efficiently and effectively. It's important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally able to shut off any malfunctioning equipment and can shut off your gas supplies when necessary.