Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances as well as chimneys and flues are inspected annually. You should also give a copy of the report to your tenants.
If the engineer considers that any appliance or installation is immediately dangerous, they will request permission to shut off gas supply and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A landlord's gas safety certificate is an official document that certifies that all gas appliances and flues within the rented property have been inspected by an accredited gas engineer. Landlords must arrange the gas check for each rental property they own at least once a year. The inspection is carried out by an Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all pipework appliances, flues, and pipes are in good working order and in compliance with the safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) at the time of every annual inspection and test for gas safety. This must be given to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the beginning 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 includes the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, the results, any actions that need to be taken, and the name and title of the engineer who conducted the test.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas device, the engineer will advise on what should be done to make it safe for use. If a device is deemed immediately dangerous or abnormally dangerous the gas supply needs to be turned off until the issue is resolved.
If a tenant is unwilling to allow access for the gas safety checks to be completed it is an infraction that is punishable by law. A landlord may apply to the courts for an injunction order if necessary, however it is generally easier to simply send a well written letter stating the reasons why it is crucial that the checks are made and what they will involve. This will encourage tenants who are hesitant to allow access to the property. If not the landlord is not willing, he will have to initiate the eviction process.
How often do gas safety certificate uk need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
In the law, landlords and agents for letting are required to conduct an annual safety check of the chimneys and gas appliances that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and there are no gas leaks in the property. This is an essential obligation and landlords must ensure that they have their gas inspections completed by a certified gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document that indicates that an engineer completed a gas check within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord, and should be provided to the tenant to verify the safety of gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months, and must be renewed every year.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants with the Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be punished by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be performed by landlords on time. They should keep a copy in case tenants ask for it.
Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea since it allows engineers to quickly access the appliances for their annual inspections. The engineer will categorise the appliance as being at-risk and may suggest that tenants refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords must also ensure that they give tenants at least 24 hours notice prior to when they visit the property to conduct Gas Safety checks. This allows tenants to plan their inspection and request permission if needed. If a tenant refuses the engineer's entry the landlord has to explain the reason why it is necessary and what happens in the event that the tenant refuses. If the tenant refuses to 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 make sure that their property is fitted with an approved gas safety certificate before tenants move into. Failure to comply with this law can result in the landlord being charged or fined heavily. The regulations stipulate that landlords must also provide copies of the gas safety records to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to perform an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will note any problems that could pose a danger to tenants. They will issue the CP12 gas safety certificate which is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is a crucial document that every tenant must keep. It contains information about the gas appliances in the rental property as well as information about when they were last tested and when they expire. It will help tenants recognize issues with their appliances and installations and ensure that they are aware of how to contact a Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.
Landlords must give the gas safety report to their tenants, current and new within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. The landlord must also give a copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenure. Landlords who do not provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted under the rules and could face unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.
The same way landlords must ensure that carbon monoxide detectors work in their homes and have them tested every month. If the alarm isn't working, the landlord must repair it. The rules for this apply 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 illegal for landlords to serve Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid Gas Safety Certificate. The decision was based upon the law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold leases to obtain an official gas safety certificate for their property prior to when tenants move into it.
How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that gas appliances, flues, and pipework in the properties they rent out are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 regulate this. To comply with these regulations, landlords must organize annual gas inspections of all the gas appliances and flues they install within the property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate. It must be signed by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to consider having an annual boiler service performed in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, as this will ensure that all gas appliances are operating correctly and safely. Gas engineers can offer the combination CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable cost. They will inspect the seals of boiler burners as well as look for leaks and cracks within the flue system and clean the heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 is often referred to by the term "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it's actually called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It includes the results of the safety checks, as well as details of any problems or actions that need to be addressed. Landlords are required to provide their tenants the CP12 document no later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is crucial that landlords and letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property for safety inspections and maintenance. It is crucial to educate tenants about the importance of permitting gas engineers access to the property. They should explain that the engineer is there to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to allow access the agent or landlord 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 before allowing them to enter the property. This will prove that the engineer is qualified to work on your home's systems and can therefore be trusted to carry out the safety check. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally permitted to shut off any malfunctioning equipment and can shut off your gas supply in the event of a need.