landlord gas safety certificates and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances as well as chimneys and flues are inspected annually. The law also requires you provide a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer considers that any installation or appliance is imminently dangerous, they will request permission to disconnect gas supply and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is an official document that proves that all gas appliances and flues in the property that is rented have been inspected by a qualified gas engineer. source web page are legally required organize a gas safety check annually for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and verify that all pipework, appliances and flues are in compliance with safety regulations.
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. The certificate should be provided to tenants within 28 days following the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their tenancy.
CP12 is an abbreviation 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 lists the date of the last gas inspection and test, the results of these, any issues or actions that need to be addressed, as well as the name of the person who performed the check.
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 should be shut off until the issue has been resolved.
If a tenant does not permit access to the gas safety checks to be completed, it is an offence that is criminal. A landlord may apply to the courts for an injunction order should it be necessary, but it is generally more efficient to simply send a strongly worded letter explaining the reasons why it is crucial that the checks are carried out and what they'll involve. This will make a tenant more hesitant to give access, and if not, the landlord might have to think about starting the process of eviction.
How often should I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
The law requires that landlords and letting agents are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection of all chimneys and gas appliances they offer to their tenants. This is to ensure that the equipment is safe to use and that there are no gas leaks in the building. This is a crucial obligation and landlords must be sure to 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 an inspection of the gas supply has been performed by a licensed engineer within the last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord and must be provided to the tenant as proof of the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a period 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 breaking the law and could be penalized by the local authority. It is therefore essential for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out on time and to keep a copy the certificate in case a tenant needs it.
Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea, since it allows engineers to easily access the appliances to conduct annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be in danger during an inspection the engineer will declare it to be at risk and may disconnect the boiler and recommend that tenants not to use it until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords must also provide their tenants with at least 24 hours' notice prior to 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 refuses to allow the engineer access, the landlord should send a letter to them explaining why it is necessary and what will happen if they don't follow through. If the tenant is still refusing then the landlord should look into evicting them pursuant to section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if I don't get a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal obligation of a landlord to ensure that their property is equipped with an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move in. Failure to adhere to this law could result in the landlord being prosecuted or fined heavily. The regulations also state that a landlord must provide a copy of the gas safety report to their tenants on request.
Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property for a gas check on all gas appliances. During the inspection, a Gas Safe registered engineer will identify any issues that could pose a danger to tenants. They will then issue an CP12 gas safety certificate which is known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is an important document that every tenant must take possession of and keep. This document contains information about gas installations in a rental property as well as the date they were tested as well as their expiration dates. It can assist tenants in identifying issues with their appliances or installations and ensure that they are aware of how to contact the Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.
Landlords must give the gas safety report to their tenants, new and existing, within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. The landlord must also provide a copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords who fail to provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate may be prosecuted under the regulations and face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms. They should also arrange for them to be tested every month. If the alarm isn't functioning, the landlord has to make the necessary repairs. This applies to councils, private landlords, and housing associations, as well as licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017 the High Court ruled that it was illegal for landlords to issue Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official Gas Safety Certificate. The ruling was in accordance with the law that stipulates that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must have an approved gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move into the property.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework in the homes they lease out are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. To be in compliance with the regulations landlords must conduct annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues that they install for use in the property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be filled out by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It is also an excellent idea for landlords to consider having the boiler service completed simultaneously with the CP12 inspection, since this will ensure that all the gas appliances are working in a safe and efficient manner. Landlords are usually able to obtain a combined CP12 and boiler service for an affordable price from a qualified gas engineer. They will be able to check the seals on boiler burners. They will also inspect the flue system for cracks and leaks, clean the heat exchanger and burner and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes called "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it actually is known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of safety tests, as well as details of any problems or actions that must 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's important that the landlords or letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises for safety checks and maintenance. It is a good idea to educate tenants on the importance of allowing access and explaining that the gas engineer is there to protect them from carbon monoxide poisoning. If a tenant is hesitant to permit access it's the landlord's or letting agent's duty to explain the legal responsibilities in writing, and follow by visiting the property to force entry if needed.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to they are allowed to enter the property. This will confirm that the engineer is qualified to work with the systems in your home and can therefore be trusted to conduct the safety check. Be aware that a gas technician can legally disconnect defective equipment or shut off your gas supply should it be required.