Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, chimneys and flues are inspected annually. It is also your responsibility to give a copy of the report to your tenants.
If the engineer considers that a particular appliance or installation is immediate danger the engineer will request permission to disconnect the supply of gas and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A landlord's gas safety certificate is an official document that certifies that all gas appliances and flues in the rental property were inspected by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are legally obliged to conduct a gas safety inspection once per year for each rental property they own. The inspection is carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all of the pipework appliances, flues, and pipes are in good working condition and that they comply with the safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) at the time of each annual inspection and test for gas safety. This must be given to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the beginning of their tenure.
CP12 is an abbreviation used for 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 tests and the results of these tests, any actions or issues that need to be addressed, as well as the name of the person who performed the inspection.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas device, the engineer will advise on what needs to be done to ensure it is safe for use. If a device is deemed Immediately Dangerous, or Abnormally dangerous, the gas supply must be turned off until the issue has been resolved.
If a tenant does not allow access for gas security checks to be conducted, it is an offence that is criminal. If needed, a landlord can ask the courts for a court order to enjoin the tenant from refusing to allow gas safety inspections. However, it is often easier to send a letter that explains why the checks are essential and what will be involved. This should convince a tenant who is reluctant to give access, and if not, the landlord may have to think about starting the process of eviction.
How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
In the law, landlords and let agents are required by law to conduct an annual gas safety inspection of all gas appliances and chimneys that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and that there aren't any gas leaks within the property. Gas inspections are a crucial obligation for landlords, and they must ensure they are completed by a qualified 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 provided to the tenant to verify the safety of gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and has to be renewed every year.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants with the Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be fined by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be performed by landlords on time. They must keep a copy in case tenants request it.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to install inspection hatches on all gas appliances to allow engineers to easily access them for inspections every year. The engineer will classify the appliance as being at-risk and may recommend that the tenant refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords are also required to 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 ask permission if needed. If a tenant does not permit the engineer to enter the landlord must inform them why the engineer is required and what will happen in the event that they do not comply. If the tenant is unwilling 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 ensure that their property is fitted with a gas safety certificate valid prior to the time tenants move into. Infractions to the law can lead to the landlord being charged or fined heavily. The regulations also state that landlords must give an original copy of their gas safety record to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property of the landlord in order to perform an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will be able to identify any issues that may pose a risk for tenants. They will issue a CP12 gas safety certificate that is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is a crucial document that every tenant must 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 spot any issues with their installation or appliances and ensure they know how to contact an Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords must provide a gas safety report to their tenants, both new and current within 28 days of the date that the engineer has visited their property. They must also provide a copy the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy starts. Landlords that fail to provide the the gas certificate may be prosecuted and could face unlimited fines, or six months in prison.
In the same way landlords must ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their homes and arrange for them being checked every month. If the alarm isn't working, the landlord must repair it. The rules around 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 decided that it was illegal for landlords to issue Section 21 notices if they did not provide their tenants with a valid gas safety certification. The ruling was based on the law that requires landlords with assured shorthold leases to obtain a gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move into it.
How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are legally responsible to make sure that the gas appliances, flues, and pipework in their homes are safe for tenants. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To ensure compliance with the regulations landlords must conduct annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues they provide for use in a property. can i get a copy of my gas safe certificate is known as a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and it must be completed by a certified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also consider conducting a boiler inspection in conjunction with an CP12 inspection. This will ensure that the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Landlords can typically obtain a combined CP12 and boiler service for an affordable cost from a professional gas engineer who will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for leaks and cracks cleaning the burner and heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 is often referred to by the term "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it is actually known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It lists the results of all safety checks and the details of any actions or problems that require attention. 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 landlords and letting agents only permit Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and for maintenance. It is a good idea to inform tenants about the importance of allowing access and explaining that the gas engineer will ensure they are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to allow access, the landlord or agent must state the legal requirements in writing. They should then visit the property and force entry if needed.
Tenants should always see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before entering the premises to ensure that they're qualified to work on the gas systems in your home and can be trusted to complete the gas safety inspection efficiently and effectively. It is also important to know that a gas engineer is able to legally shut off defective equipment or shut off your gas supply should it be required.