Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As an owner, it is your responsibility to ensure all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys are inspected annually. It is also your responsibility to give a copy of the report to your tenants.
If the engineer determines that a particular appliance or installation is immediate danger they will ask permission to disconnect gas supply and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A landlord gas safety certificate is a document that proves that all of the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been checked by a licensed gas engineer. Landlords must arrange a gas check for each rental property that they have at least once a year. The inspection is carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all of the pipework and appliances as well as flues are in good working condition and that they comply with safety standards.
Landlords are also required by law to give their tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) following each annual gas safety inspection and test. This should be provided to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the start of their lease.
CP12 is an abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 which was employed 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 test, the results, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, as well as the name of the person who conducted the inspection.
The engineer will provide advice if the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be fixed to make it safe to use. If a device is deemed dangerous immediately or abnormally lethal the gas supply needs to be shut off until the issue is fixed.
It is illegal to a tenant who refuses to let the gas safety inspection to be conducted. A landlord can apply to the courts for an injunction order in the event of need, but it is usually much easier to simply send a well worded letter explaining the reason why the checks are carried out and what they will involve. This should encourage a tenant who is reluctant to let access to the property. If not the landlord is not willing, he will have to initiate the eviction process.
How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agents are legally required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on all gas appliances and flues that are supplied to tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe to use and that there aren't gas leaks within the property. Gas inspections are an essential obligation for landlords, and they must ensure they are completed by a certified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is an official document that proves that the gas inspection was performed by a licensed engineer within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and should also be given to the tenant to verify the safety of gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months, and must be renewed each year.
A landlord who is unable to provide the Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. Gas Safety checks must be carried out by landlords on time. They must keep a copy in case tenants ask for it.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to put inspection hatches on all gas appliances so that engineers can easily access them for inspections every year. The engineer will label the appliance as 'at-risk' and may suggest that the tenant refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords must also give their tenants at least 24 hours' notice prior entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows tenants to prepare and request permission if they need. If a tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry the landlord should inform them the reason for the visit and what happens if they don't follow through. If the tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord could think about evicting the tenant in accordance with section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if I don't receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal obligation of a landlord to make sure that their property is fitted with an approved gas safety certificate before tenants move in. In the absence of this, it's an offence that can lead to landlords being charged and liable to heavy fines. The regulations also state that landlords must give an original copy of their gas safety record to their tenants on request.
Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to perform an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection, a Gas Safe registered engineer will be able to identify any issues that could be a threat to tenants. The engineer will then issue an CP12 Gas Safety Document, also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is an important piece of documentation that every tenant should be able to access and keep. It contains information about the gas appliances in a rented property, as well as details regarding when they last tested and when they expire. It can help tenants identify any issues with the installation or appliances and ensure they know how to reach a Gas Safe engineer to have them checked.
Landlords are required to provide their current and new tenants with a gas safety report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. The landlord must also give an original copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenancy. Landlords who do not provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate may be prosecuted in accordance with the regulations and could face unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.
Similar to this landlords must ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their homes and have them tested each month. The landlord is responsible for repairing an alarm that does not work. The rules governing this apply to council, private, and housing association landlords, as well as to 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 in accordance with the law that states that landlords of assured shorthold tenancies must obtain a gas safety record for their property prior to the time tenants move in.
How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are required by law to ensure that gas appliances, flues, and pipework in their homes are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 regulate this. To be in compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues they supply for use in a property. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be completed by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
landlord gas safety certificate and boiler service 's also recommended for landlords to think about having a boiler service carried out in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, as this will ensure that all the gas appliances are working in a safe and efficient manner. Gas engineers can provide a combined CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable cost. They will check the seals of boiler burners, inspect for cracks and leaks in the flue system and clean the heat exchanger and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 document is often 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 details of any actions or issues that require attention. Landlords are required to provide their tenants a CP12 document within 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is essential that the landlords or letting agents permit Gas Safe registered engineers to visit the property to conduct safety checks and for maintenance. It is crucial to educate tenants about 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 agent or landlord must state the legal requirements in writing. Then, they should visit the property and force entry if required.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to allowing them to enter the property. This will prove that the engineer has the necessary qualifications to work on your home's systems and therefore be trusted to perform the safety inspection. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally permitted to cut off any defective equipment and can cut off your gas supply when necessary.