Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, flues and chimneys undergo annual inspections. It is also your responsibility to provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer determines that an appliance or installation to be immediately dangerous, they will ask for permission to shut off the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches be put in place.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A landlord gas safety certificate is a document which demonstrates that the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been examined by a certified gas engineer. The landlord must arrange for a gas check for each rental property they own at least once per year. The inspection is carried out by an Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all pipework and appliances as well as flues are in good working condition and that they comply with safety standards.
Landlords are also legally required to provide their tenants with an original copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) following each annual gas safety inspection and test. The certificate should be provided to tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their lease.
CP12 is the abbreviation used for the CORGI Proforma 12 that was used by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form lists the date of the last gas inspection or test as well as the results of these tests, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, as well as the name of the person who performed the check.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance, the engineer will advise on what needs to be done to ensure it is safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediate danger or Abnormally Lethal the gas supply will need to be turned off until the problem has been solved.
It is a crime for a tenant to refuse to allow the gas safety inspection to be conducted. If needed landlords can apply to the courts for a court order to enjoin the tenant from preventing gas safety checks. However, it is usually easier to send a letter which describes why the check is essential and what will be required. This should convince a tenant who is reluctant to give access, and in the event that they do not, the landlord might have to think about starting the process of eviction.
How often should I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
The landlords and letting agencies are required by law to conduct an annual safety check on all flues and gas appliances that are supplied to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and that there aren't gas leaks within the property. Gas inspections are a vital obligation for landlords and they must ensure that they are conducted by a certified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is legal document that confirms that the gas inspection was conducted by a qualified engineer within the past 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and should also be given to the tenant to verify the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months and has to be renewed annually.
A landlord who fails to provide the Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. Gas Safety checks must be carried out by landlords on time. They should keep a copy in case tenants ask for it.
It is also an excellent idea for landlords to put inspection hatches on all gas appliances, so that the engineers can easily access them for annual inspections. The engineer will categorise the appliance as 'at-risk' and may recommend that tenants refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords must also give tenants at least 24 hours' notice prior entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This gives tenants time to prepare and ask permission if needed. If a tenant refuses entry to the engineer the landlord must explain why this is necessary and what would happen if the tenant refused. If the tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord can decide to evict the tenant under section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if I don't get a Gas Safety Certificate?
In short it is the landlord's legal obligation to ensure their property has a valid gas safety certification before tenants move into. In the absence of this, it's an offense that could cause landlords to be charged and liable to heavy fines. The regulations also stipulate that a landlord must provide an electronic copy of the gas safety certificate to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to conduct an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will be able to identify any issues that may present a danger for tenants. They will then issue a CP12 gas safety certificate, which is known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is a very important document that every tenant should keep. This document provides information on gas installations in a rental home and the dates they were tested and their expiration dates. gas safety certificate grace period can help tenants spot any issues with their installation or appliances and make sure that they know how to reach a Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords are required to provide their current and new 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 do not provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate can be prosecuted under the regulations and could face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms. They can also arrange that they be tested each month. The landlord is accountable for repairing any alarm that doesn't work. The rules for this are applicable to council, private, and housing association landlords and also 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 certificate. The decision was based on the law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to have a gas safety certification for their property prior to the time tenants move in.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords have a legal responsibility to make sure 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. To be in compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues that they install for use in the property. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be filled out by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also think about performing a boiler inspection in conjunction with the CP12 inspection. This will ensure that the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Landlords can usually receive a combination CP12 and boiler service for an affordable price from a professional gas engineer. They will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners. They will also inspect the flue system for cracks and leaks, clean the burner and heat exchanger and conduct general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes known as "landlord's gas safety certificate" but it is actually known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of safety checks, as well as details of any problems or actions that need to be addressed. Landlords are required to give tenants a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
It is important that landlords and letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and for maintenance. It is a good idea to educate tenants on the importance of allowing access and explain that the gas engineer is there to ensure they are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to let access in, it's the landlord or letting agent's responsibility to clarify the legal obligations in writing, and follow by visiting the property to force entry if needed.
Tenants should always ask to be shown a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before they allow them into the home, as this will prove that they are properly qualified to work on the gas systems in your home and is able to complete the gas safety check efficiently and effectively. You should also be aware that a gas engineer is able to legally remove the malfunctioning equipment or cut off your gas supply if needed.