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. The law also requires that you provide a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer deems any device or installation to be immediately dangerous, they will request permission to disconnect the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches be put in place.
What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate issued by a landlord is an official document that certifies that all gas appliances and flues within the rental property have been inspected by an experienced gas engineer. gas safety certificate near me must arrange for a gas check for each rental property they own at least once per year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry out the inspection and check that all pipework, appliances and flues are in compliance with safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record), following each annual inspection and test for gas safety. The certificate should be provided to tenants within 28 days after the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their lease.
CP12 is the abbreviation used for the CORGI Proforma 12 that was employed by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form includes the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, the results, any actions that must be taken, and the name and title of the engineer who performed the test.
The engineer will give advice in the event that the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be corrected so that it is safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be Immediately Dangerous or Abnormally Lethal, the gas supply will have to be disconnected until the issue is fixed.
If a tenant is unwilling to allow access for gas safety checks to be completed it is an offence that is criminal. If needed, a landlord can ask the courts for an order to stop the tenant from preventing gas safety inspections. However, it is more common to send a letter that describes why the check is essential and what will be involved. This will encourage a tenant who is reluctant to let access to the property. If not, the landlord will need to begin the eviction process.
How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agents are legally required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on all flues and gas appliances that are supplied to tenants. This is to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and that there are no gas leaks in the property. Gas inspections are a vital obligation for landlords and they should ensure that they are conducted by a qualified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is an official document that proves that the gas inspection was performed by a licensed engineer within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and should be provided to the tenant to prove the safety of gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and needs to be renewed every year.
A landlord who does not provide a Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. Gas Safety checks must be performed by landlords on time. They must also keep a copy of the certificate in case tenants request it.
Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea as it allows engineers to quickly access the appliances for annual inspections. The engineer will classify the appliance as 'at-risk' and may suggest that tenants stop using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords must also ensure that they give tenants a minimum of 24 hours notice prior to the time they enter the property to carry out Gas Safety checks. This gives tenants time to prepare for the visit and give permission if needed. If a tenant is refusing access to the engineer the landlord has to explain the reason for this and what will happen in the event that the tenant refuses. If the tenant still refuses the engineer entry, then the landlord must think about evicting them under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if I don't receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal responsibility of a landlord to ensure that their property is fitted with an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into. Failure to adhere to this law could result in a landlord being prosecuted or fined heavily. The regulations require that landlords must also provide copies of gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord to conduct a gas inspection on all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will take note of any issues that could cause a threat to tenants. The engineer will issue the CP12 Gas Safety Document, which is also referred to as a 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 as well as the date they were tested and expiration dates. It can help tenants identify issues with their appliances and installations and ensure that they know how contact an Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.
Landlords must provide an inspection report on gas safety to their tenants, both new and current, within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. They must also provide a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy begins. Landlords who fail to provide the copy of the gas certificate could be prosecuted and could face unlimited fines or six months in prison.
Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms. They can also arrange that they be tested each month. If an alarm is not working, the landlord must make the necessary repairs. This is applicable to private landlords, councils and housing associations as well as licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation.
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 decision was made by reference to the law which stipulates that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must have a gas safety record for their property before tenants move in.
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 deal with this. To comply with the regulations, landlords are required to arrange annual gas checks on all the gas appliances and flues they supply for use in the building. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate and it must be completed by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It's also a good idea for landlords to think about having the boiler service completed in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, as this will help ensure that all the gas appliances are working correctly and safely. Gas engineers can provide the combination CP12 inspection and boiler service for a reasonable price. They will examine the boiler burner's seals and look for leaks and cracks within the flue system and clean the heat exchanger and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 document is commonly called the 'landlord's gas safety certificate', but it is actually the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of safety inspections, and details of any problems or actions that must be taken care of. Landlords are required to provide their tenants a CP12 document not later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is essential that landlords and letting agents only permit Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property for safety inspections and maintenance. It is crucial to educate tenants on the importance of giving gas engineers access to their property and explain that the engineer's presence is necessary to protect them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant does not permit access, the landlord or agent must outline 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 prior to entering the property. This will prove that the engineer is qualified to work with the systems in your home and can therefore be trusted to conduct the safety inspection. You should also be aware that a gas engineer is able to legally disconnect faulty equipment or cut off the gas supply in case of need.