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 that you provide a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer considers an device or installation to be immediately dangerous they will ask permission to cut off the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches be installed.
What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that demonstrates that all of the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been examined by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are legally obliged to organize a gas safety check every year for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and ensure that all pipework, appliances and flues are in compliance with safety regulations.
Landlords are also legally required to provide their tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) at the end of each year's gas safety inspection and test. This should be given to tenants within 28 days following the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their tenure.
CP12 is the abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 that was used by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form shows the date of the last gas inspection and test, the results, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, and the name of the person who performed the check.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas appliance, the engineer will advise on what needs to be done to ensure its safe use. If an appliance is deemed dangerous immediately or abnormally lethal, the gas supply must be shut off until the issue has been resolved.
It is illegal for a tenant to refuse to allow the gas safety test to be conducted. A landlord may apply to the courts for an injunction order if necessary, however it is usually much easier to simply send a strongly worded letter explaining the reasons why it is crucial that the checks are conducted and what they'll involve. This should convince a tenant who is reluctant to give access, and in the event that they do otherwise, the landlord could need to consider starting the process of eviction.
How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
The landlords and letting agencies are legally required to conduct an annual gas safety check on all flues and gas appliances that they provide to tenants. This is to ensure that the equipment is safe for them to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks in the building. This is a vitally important responsibility for landlords and they should make sure that they get their gas inspections done by a certified gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document which affirms that an engineer has completed a gas check within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord, and should be presented to the tenant in order to demonstrate the safety of gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months and has to be renewed each year.
A landlord who is unable to provide a Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. It is therefore crucial for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out in a timely manner and to keep a copy the certificate in case a tenant needs it.
It is also an excellent idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances, so that the engineers can easily access them for annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be in danger during an inspection, the engineer will formally categorise it as such and will shut off the boiler and suggest that tenants not to use it until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords are also required to give their tenants at least 24 hours' notice before entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This gives tenants time to prepare for the visit and provide permission if needed. If a tenant does not allow the engineer access the landlord must inform them why the engineer is required and what happens if they don't follow through. If the tenant does not allow the engineer entry, the landlord may decide to evict the tenant under section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if you don't own a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal obligation of a landlord to ensure that their property is equipped with a gas safety certificate valid before tenants move into. In the absence of this, it's an offence that can result in landlords being punished with severe fines. The regulations require that landlords must also provide copies of the gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to conduct an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will be able to identify any issues that could cause a threat for tenants. They will then issue a CP12 gas safety document, that is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is a vital piece of documentation that all tenants should get a hold of and keep. It includes information about the gas appliances in the rental property and also details regarding when they last checked and the expiry dates. It can help tenants identify any issues with the appliances or installation and ensure they are aware of how to contact an Gas Safe engineer to have them checked.
Landlords are required to provide their tenants, both new and existing, with a gas safety report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. The landlord is also required to provide the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords that fail to provide the copy of the gas certificate may be prosecuted and face unlimited fines or six months in prison.
In the same way landlords must make sure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their homes and arrange for them being checked every month. The landlord is responsible for fixing the problem if the alarm does not work. The rules governing 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 certificate. The decision was based on the law that requires landlords with assured shorthold tenancies to have a gas safety certificate for their property before tenants move in.
How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that 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 comply with the regulations landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues they provide for use in a property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate and it must be signed by a licensed Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It is also an excellent idea for landlords to think about having an annual boiler service performed simultaneously with the CP12 inspection, since it will help ensure that all gas appliances are functioning correctly and safely. Gas engineers can provide an integrated CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable cost. They will examine the seals of boiler burners and look for leaks and cracks within the flue system and clean the heat exchanger, and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 document is often known as the 'landlord's gas safety certificate', although it is officially called the Gas Safety Record documentation. It outlines the outcomes of all safety inspections and the details of any actions or issues that require attention. Landlords must give their tenants a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
It's important that the landlords or letting agents permit Gas Safe registered engineers to access the property for safety checks and maintenance. It is crucial to educate tenants on the importance of giving gas engineers access to the property. They should explain that the engineer's job is to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to let access in, it's the landlord or letting agent's duty to clarify the legal obligations in writing, and follow by visiting the property to force entry if needed.
Tenants should always see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to letting them in to prove that they are properly qualified to work on your home's gas systems and can be trusted 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 cut off any defective equipment and cut off gas lines when necessary.