Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As an owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys are inspected annually. The law also requires you give a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer deems any appliance or installation to be immediately dangerous they will request permission to cut off the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches be put in place.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A landlord gas safety certificate is a document that proves that the gas appliances and flues have been examined by a certified gas engineer. Landlords are legally required organize a gas safety check every year 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.
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 provided to tenants within 28 days after the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their tenure.
CP12 is an abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was used by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before it was replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form identifies the date of the last gas inspection or test as well as the results of these, any actions or issues that need to be addressed, as well as the name of the engineer who carried out the check.
The engineer will provide advice if the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be addressed in order to ensure it is safe to use. If an appliance is deemed to be immediate danger or Abnormally Lethal the gas supply will need to be disconnected until the issue has been solved.
It is illegal to a tenant who refuses to allow the gas safety inspection to be conducted. If necessary landlords can apply to the courts for an order to stop the tenant from refusing to allow gas safety checks. However, it's usually easier to send a letter which describes why the check is important and what's involved. This should encourage tenants who are hesitant to allow 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?
By law, landlords and agents for letting are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on all chimneys and gas appliances they offer to their tenants. This is to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and that there are no gas leaks within the property. Gas inspections are a vital obligation for landlords and they must ensure that they are carried out by a qualified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document that confirms that an engineer has completed a gas inspection within the last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord and must be handed over to the tenant as proof of the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months, and has to be renewed each year.
If a landlord does not provide their tenants with the Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be punished by the local authority. It is therefore vital for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out on time and to keep a copy the documentation in case a tenant requests it.
Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea as it allows engineers to easily access the appliances for their annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be at risk during an inspection, the engineer will formally classify it as such and will shut off the boiler and suggest that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords must also provide their tenants with at least 24 hours' notice prior to 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 refuses the engineer's entry the landlord must explain why this is necessary and what would happen in the event that the tenant refuses. If landlord gas safety certificate cp12 continues to refuse the engineer entry, then the landlord must 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 their property has a valid gas safety certification prior to the time tenants move into. Infractions to the law can lead to the landlord being charged or being fined a significant amount. The regulations require that landlords must also provide copies of gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property of the landlord to conduct an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will be able to identify any issues that could be a threat 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 vital document that all tenants should get a hold of and keep. It contains information on the gas installations in a rental property, as well as details on when they were last tested and their expiry dates. It will help tenants recognize any issues with their appliances or installations and ensure that they know how to reach a Gas Safe engineer to have them checked.
Landlords are required to provide an inspection report on gas safety to their tenants, both current and new within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. They must also provide a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy begins. Landlords who fail in providing the the gas certificate may be prosecuted and face unlimited fines or even six months in prison.
Similar to this landlords must ensure that carbon monoxide detectors work in their homes and have them tested every month. If an alarm is not working, the landlord must make the necessary repairs. This applies to private landlords, councils and housing associations, and also licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017 In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was unlawful for landlords to send Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official gas Safety Certificate. The decision was made by reference to the law which states that landlords of assured shorthold tenancies must obtain a gas safety record for their property prior to when tenants move into the property.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that the gas appliances, flues and pipework in their properties are safe for tenants. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To be in compliance with the regulations landlords are required to conduct annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues they provide to tenants. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be signed by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should consider conducting a boiler inspection at the same time as the CP12 inspection. This will ensure that the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Landlords can usually get a combined CP12 and boiler service at a reasonable price from a professional gas engineer who will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners, inspect the flue system for cracks and leaks, clean the burner and heat exchanger and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes called "landlord's gas safety certificate" however it actually is called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of the safety inspections, and specifics about any issues or actions that must be addressed. Landlords must provide their tenants with a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
It is crucial that the landlords or letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers to visit the property for safety checks and maintenance. It's a good idea to inform tenants about the importance of allowing access and explain that the gas engineer is there to help keep them safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to permit access, the landlord or agent must explain the legal obligations in writing. Then, they should visit the property and force entry if necessary.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before entering the property. This will prove that the engineer is qualified to work with the systems in your home and can therefore be trusted to carry out the safety inspection. It's also worth bearing in mind that the gas engineer is legally allowed to cut off any defective equipment and cut off gas lines if necessary.