Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As an owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys undergo annual inspections. The law also requires you provide a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer determines 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 the definition of a Gas Safety Certificate?
A landlord gas safety certificate is a document that proves that all the gas appliances in the rental property and flues have been checked by a certified gas engineer. Landlords are legally required to organize a gas safety check once per year for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry out the inspection and check that all pipes, appliances and flues conform with safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to give tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record), following every annual inspection and test for gas safety. gas safety certificate landlord should be given to tenants within 28 days after the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their tenancy.
CP12 is the abbreviation of 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 and test as well as the results of these tests, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, and the name of the engineer who carried out the check.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance, the engineer will advise on what should be done to ensure its safe use. If an appliance is deemed to be immediate danger or Abnormally Lethal the gas supply will need to be shut off until the issue has been fixed.
It is a crime for a tenant to refuse to allow the gas safety inspection to be conducted. A landlord can apply to the courts for an injunction order should it be necessary, but it is usually much easier to simply send a strongly written letter that explains the reason why the checks are made and what they'll involve. This should entice a tenant who is reluctant to allow access to the house. If not the landlord has to initiate the eviction process.
How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
In the law, landlords and letting agents are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on all gas appliances and chimneys they offer to their tenants. This is done to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks within the property. This is a crucial responsibility and landlords should ensure that they have their gas inspections completed by a licensed gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is a legal document that confirms that a gas inspection has been conducted by a qualified engineer within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and should also be given to the tenant to prove the safety of gas supply. It is valid for 12 months, and has to be renewed annually.
A landlord who does not provide the Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. Gas Safety checks must be completed by landlords in time. They must keep a copy in case tenants ask for it.
Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea, because it lets engineers easily access the appliances to conduct annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be in danger during an inspection the engineer will categorise it as such and shut off the boiler and advise that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords should also make sure that they provide their tenants with a minimum of 24 hours notice before they visit the property to conduct Gas Safety checks. This gives tenants time to prepare for the visit and give permission, if required. If a tenant refuses to permit the engineer to enter the landlord should write to them explaining the reason for the visit and what happens in the event that they do not comply. If the tenant still refuses then the landlord should consider evicting them using section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if you don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
In essence, it is the landlord's legal obligation to ensure that their home has a valid gas safety certification before tenants move in. In the absence of this, it's an offense that could cause landlords to be punished with severe fines. The regulations state that landlords must also furnish copies of gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to conduct an inspection of 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 that is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is an important document that every tenant should get a hold of and keep. It contains information on the gas installations in a rented property as well as information on when they were last tested and their expiry dates. It will help tenants recognize any issues with their appliances or installation and ensure that they know how to reach a Gas Safe engineer to have them checked.
Landlords must provide an inspection report on gas safety to their tenants, current and new, within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. The landlord must also provide the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenancy. Landlords that fail to provide the copy of the gas certificate could be charged and face unlimited fines or even six months in prison.
The same way landlords must ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their homes and arrange for them being checked every month. If an alarm is not working, the landlord must fix it. The rules governing this are applicable to private, council and housing association landlords, as well as licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In June 2017 In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was unlawful for landlords to serve Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official Gas Safety Certificate. The decision was in accordance with the law that states that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must obtain a record of their gas safety for their property prior to the time tenants move in.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are required by law to make sure that the gas appliances, flues, and pipework in their properties 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 supply for use in the property. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate and it must be signed by a licensed Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should consider performing a boiler inspection at the same time as an CP12 inspection. This will ensure that the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Gas engineers can offer a combined CP12 inspection and boiler service for a reasonable price. They will inspect the seals on boiler burners, inspect for leaks and cracks within the flue system, clean the heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 document is commonly referred to as the 'landlord gas safety certificate', but it is actually the Gas Safety Record documentation. It outlines the outcomes of all safety inspections and details of any actions or problems that need to be resolved. Landlords are required to give their tenants a CP12 document within 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is crucial that the landlords or letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises to conduct safety checks and for maintenance. It's a good idea to inform tenants about the necessity of allowing access, and explaining that the gas engineer will protect them from carbon monoxide poisoning. If a tenant is hesitant to let access in it's the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility to clarify the legal obligations in writing, and follow up with a visit to the property to compel entry if needed.
Tenants should always be shown a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before entering the premises to ensure that they are properly qualified to work on the gas systems in your home 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 shut off any malfunctioning equipment and can cut off your gas supply if necessary.