Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, flues and chimneys undergo annual checks. gas safe installation certificate requires you provide a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer believes that any appliance or installation is immediate danger they will ask permission to disconnect the supply of gas and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A landlord gas safety certificate is a document that demonstrates that all the gas appliances in the rental property and flues have been inspected by a certified gas engineer. Landlords are legally required conduct a gas safety inspection annually for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and ensure that all pipes, appliances and flues comply with safety standards.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) after each annual inspection and test for gas safety. This should be provided to tenants in the 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the beginning of their lease.
CP12 is an abbreviation used 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 outlines the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, the results, any actions that need to be taken, as well as the name and the title of the engineer who performed the test.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance, the engineer will advise on what needs to be done to make it safe for use. If an appliance is deemed to be immediately dangerous or Abnormally Lethal, the gas supply will need to be shut off until the issue has been resolved.
If a tenant does not allow access for gas security checks to be conducted it is an infraction that is punishable by law. A landlord can apply to the courts for an injunction order should it be necessary, but it is usually much easier to send a clearly written letter stating the reason why the checks are carried out and what they'll involve. This should make a tenant more hesitant to let access in, and in the event that they do otherwise, the landlord could be required to begin the eviction process.
How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
By law, landlords and let agents are required by law to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on the chimneys and gas appliances they offer to their tenants. This is to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and that there are no gas leaks in the building. This is a crucial responsibility and landlords should ensure that they are inspected for gas 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 completed by a qualified engineer within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and must be provided to the tenant to prove 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 an Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be fined by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be performed by landlords on time. They must also keep a copy in case tenants ask for it.
It is also a good idea for landlords to put inspection hatches on all gas appliances so that the engineers can easily access them for inspections every year. The engineer will classify the appliance as 'at-risk' and may suggest that tenants refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords must also give their tenants at least 24 hours' notice prior to entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This will allow tenants to prepare for the visit and give permission if needed. If a tenant refuses access to the engineer the landlord has to explain the reason why it is necessary and what would happen should the tenant refuse. If the tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer entry, the landlord may think about evicting the tenant in accordance with section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if you don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal obligation of a landlord to ensure that their property is fitted with an official gas safety certificate that is valid before tenants move in. Infractions to this law could result in the landlord being charged or being fined a significant amount. The regulations also stipulate that a landlord must provide an original copy of their gas safety report to their tenants on 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 the engineer will take note of any issues that could pose a risk for tenants. They will issue the CP12 gas safety document, which is also 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 contains information about gas installations in a rental home, including when they were tested as well as their expiration dates. It can help tenants identify any issues with their appliances or installation and make sure that they are aware of how to contact an Gas Safe engineer to have them checked.
Landlords must give an inspection report on gas safety to their tenants, current and new within 28 days of the date that the engineer has visited their property. The landlord must also give an original copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenure. Landlords that fail to provide the copy of the gas certificate may be prosecuted and face unlimited fines, or six months in prison.
Similar to this landlords must ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are in operation in their homes and have them checked every month. If the alarm isn't functioning, the landlord has to fix it. The rules governing this apply to council, private, and housing association landlords as well as licensable houses of multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In June 2017, the High Court decided that it was unlawful for landlords to issue Section 21 notices if they did not provide their tenants with a valid gas safety certificate. The ruling was based on the law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to have a gas safety certification for their property prior to when tenants move in.
How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are required by law to ensure that gas appliances, flues, and pipework within their properties are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. To be in compliance with these regulations, landlords must organize annual gas inspections of all the gas appliances and flues that they provide for use in the building. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be signed by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to think about having an annual boiler service performed at the same time as the CP12 inspection, as this will help ensure that all gas appliances are operating in a safe and efficient manner. Landlords are usually able to get a combined CP12 and boiler service for an affordable cost from a professional gas engineer. They will be able to check the seals on boiler burners, inspect 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" but it actually is called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of all the safety checks and the details of any actions or issues that require attention. Landlords are required to provide their tenants the CP12 document within 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 inspections and maintenance. It is essential to inform tenants about the importance of permitting gas engineers access to the property and explain that the engineer is there to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to permit access the agent or landlord must explain the legal obligations in writing. They should then visit the property and force entry if required.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before allowing them to enter the property. This will prove that the engineer has the necessary qualifications to work with your home's systems and can therefore be trusted to conduct the safety check. You should also be aware that a gas engineer is able to legally shut off defective equipment or shut off your gas supply should it be required.