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 that you give a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer considers that any appliance or installation is immediate danger the engineer will request permission to shut off the supply of gas and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A landlord gas safety certificate is a document that proves that all the gas appliances in the rental property and flues have been inspected by a certified gas engineer. Landlords must arrange a gas check for each rental property that they own at least once per year. The inspection is carried out by an Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all pipework and appliances as well as flues are in good working condition and that they are in compliance with safety regulations.
Landlords are also required by law to provide their tenants with copies of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) following each annual gas safety inspection and test. This must be given to tenants in the 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the start of their tenancy.
CP12 is an abbreviation used for www.Mkgassafety.co.Uk 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 outlines the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, the results, any steps required to be taken, and the name and title of the engineer who performed the test.
The engineer will offer advice in the event that the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will include the items that need to be addressed in order to ensure it is safe to use. If a device is deemed dangerous immediately or abnormally lethal the gas supply needs to be turned off until the issue has been resolved.
It is illegal to a tenant who refuses to allow the gas safety check to be carried out. A landlord can ask the courts for an injunction order in the event of need, but it is usually much easier to simply send a strongly written letter that explains the reason why the checks are conducted and what they'll involve. This can make a tenant more hesitant to let access in, and in the event that they do not, the landlord may have to think about starting the eviction process.
How often should I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agents are legally required to conduct an annual gas safety check on all flues and gas appliances that they supply to their tenants. This is done to ensure that the equipment is safe to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks in the building. 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 known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document that confirms that an engineer has completed a gas check within the last 12 months. It is given to the landlord and must be provided to the tenant as proof of the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months, and must 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 penalized by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be carried out by landlords on time. They must also keep a copy of the certificate in case tenants request it.
It is also an excellent idea for landlords to put inspection hatches on all gas appliances to allow engineers to easily access them for inspections every year. If the appliance is found to be in danger during an inspection the engineer will declare it to be at risk and will shut off the boiler and advise that the tenant not use it 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 the tenants to prepare for the visit and grant permission, if required. If a tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer entry the landlord must send a letter to them explaining the reason for the visit and what will happen if they don't comply. 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 essence it's the landlord's legal responsibility to ensure their property has a valid gas safety certification prior to the time tenants move into the property. Failure to comply with this law can result in the landlord being charged or fined heavily. 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 property of the landlord in order to perform a gas inspection on all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will note any problems that could pose a danger to tenants. The engineer will issue an CP12 Gas Safety Document, also known as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is a vital piece of documentation that every tenant should be able to access and keep. This document contains information about gas installations in a rental property as well as the date they were tested and their expiration dates. It can help tenants spot any issues with their installation or appliances and ensure they know how to reach an Gas Safe engineer to have them tested.
Landlords are required to provide their new and current tenants with a gas safety inspection report within 28 days of the engineer's visit to their property. The landlord must also provide the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenure. Landlords who fail to provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate can be prosecuted under the rules and face unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.
In the same way, landlords should ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their homes and have them tested every month. The landlord is responsible for fixing an alarm that does not work. The rules for this apply to council, private, and housing association landlords and also to licensable houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In June 2017 In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was illegal for landlords to serve Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid gas Safety Certificate. The decision was based on the law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to have an official gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move into it.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that gas appliances, flues, and pipework in the homes they rent out are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 deal with this. To comply with the regulations landlords must conduct annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues they supply for use in the property. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be filled out by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should consider performing a boiler inspection at the same time as a CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are working properly and safely. Landlords can usually receive a combination CP12 and boiler service at an affordable cost from a qualified gas engineer, who will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for leaks and cracks as well as clean the burner and heat exchanger and conduct general maintenance.
The CP12 is often referred to by the term "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it's actually called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It includes the results of the safety tests, as well as specifics of any issues or actions that should be addressed. Landlords must provide their tenants a CP12 document not later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is crucial that the landlord or letting agent only allow Gas Safe registered engineers to visit the property to conduct safety checks and for maintenance. It's a good idea inform tenants of the importance of allowing access and explain that the gas engineer will help keep them safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to allow access, it's the landlord or letting agent's responsibility explain the legal responsibilities in writing, and follow with a visit to the property to compel entry if needed.
Tenants must always request to be shown a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to letting them in, as this will prove that they're competent to work on the gas systems in your home and is able to complete the gas safety inspection efficiently and efficiently. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally able to shut off any malfunctioning equipment and can cut off your gas supply if necessary.