Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys are inspected annually. The law also requires you provide a copy the check to your tenants.
If the engineer deems any appliance or installation as being immediately dangerous they will ask for permission to shut off the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches are installed.
What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that proves that all of the gas appliances and flues have been checked by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange an annual gas inspection for each rental property they have at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry out the inspection and check that all pipework, appliances and flues comply with safety regulations.
Landlords are also legally required to provide their tenants with copies of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) after each annual gas safety inspection and test. This should be given to tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their lease.
CP12 is an abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was used by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form lists the date of the last gas inspection and test as well as the results of these tests, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, and the name of the engineer who carried out the inspection.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance, the engineer will advise on what must be done to ensure its safe use. If an appliance is deemed to be immediate danger or Abnormally Lethal the gas supply will have to be disconnected until the issue has been fixed.
It is a crime for a tenant to refuse to let the gas safety test to be carried out. If necessary, a landlord can ask the courts for an order to prohibit the tenant from refusing to allow gas safety inspections. However, it's often easier to send a letter which explains why the checks are important and what's required. This will make a tenant more hesitant to let access in, and if not, the landlord might be required to begin the eviction process.
How often should I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agents are legally required to conduct an annual safety check on all flues and gas appliances that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and that there aren't gas leaks in the property. This is a crucial responsibility and landlords should ensure that they have their gas inspections completed by a licensed gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is a legal document that confirms that the gas inspection was performed by a licensed engineer within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord, and should be provided to the tenant in order to demonstrate the safety of gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and needs to be renewed annually.
A landlord who does not provide the Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. Gas Safety checks must be carried out by landlords on time. They must keep a copy in case tenants request it.
Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea since it allows engineers to gain access to the appliances for annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be in danger during an inspection the engineer will declare it to be at risk and will shut off the boiler and recommend 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 entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows tenants time to prepare and request permission if they need. If a tenant does not permit the engineer to enter the landlord should send a letter to them explaining why the engineer is required and what happens if they don't follow through. If the tenant continues to refuse, then the landlord should consider evicting them using section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What is the consequence if I don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
In short, it is the landlord's legal obligation to ensure that their property is equipped with an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move in. Failure to comply with the law can lead to a landlord being prosecuted or being fined a significant amount. The regulations state that landlords must also provide copies of the gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord in order to perform a gas inspection on all gas appliances. During the inspection, the engineer will note any issues that could cause a threat for tenants. They will then issue a CP12 gas safety certificate, that is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is an important document that every tenant should keep. This document provides information on gas installations in rental properties as well as the date they were tested and expiration dates. It can help tenants identify any issues with their appliances or installation and make sure that 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 inspection report within 28 days of the engineer visiting their property. They must also provide a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy starts. Landlords who fail in providing the the gas certificate could be charged and face unlimited fines or even six months in prison.
In the same way landlords must make sure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their homes and have them tested every month. If the alarm is not functioning, the landlord has to make the necessary repairs. The rules for this are applicable to council, private, and housing association landlords, as well as to licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In June 2017 the High Court ruled that it was unlawful for landlords to issue Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid gas Safety Certificate. how long does a gas safety certificate last was in accordance with the law that states that landlords of assured shorthold tenancies must obtain a record of their gas safety for their property before tenants move in.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are required by law to ensure that the gas appliances, flues and pipework in their homes are safe for tenants. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. In order to comply with these regulations, landlords must conduct annual gas inspections on all gas appliances and flues they provide for use in the property. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, and it has to be signed by a licensed Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also think about conducting a boiler inspection at the same time as a CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Landlords are usually able to obtain a combined CP12 and boiler service at an affordable cost from a professional gas engineer who can check the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for leaks and cracks cleaning the burner and heat exchanger and conduct general maintenance.
what is gas safety certificate is often referred to by the term "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it actually is known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of the safety checks, as well as specifics about any issues or actions that need to be taken care of. Landlords are required to give their tenants the CP12 document no later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is essential that landlords or letting agents only permit Gas Safe registered engineers to access the property for safety checks and maintenance. It is essential to inform tenants on the importance of giving gas engineers access to their property and explain that the engineer is there to protect them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to permit access, the landlord or agent must state the legal requirements in writing. They should then go to the property and force entry if necessary.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to entering 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 check. It is also important to know that a gas engineer can legally disconnect faulty equipment or cut off your gas supply if needed.