Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As an owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, flues and chimneys undergo annual inspections. You must also provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer deems any appliance or installation to be immediately dangerous they will ask permission to shut off the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches be put in place.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that proves that the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a certified gas engineer. Landlords are legally obliged to organize a gas safety check once per year for each rental property they own. The inspection is conducted by a Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all pipes appliances, flues, and pipes are in good working condition and that they are in compliance with safety standards.
Landlords are also required by law to give their tenants an original copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) after each annual gas safety inspection and test. The certificate should be given to current tenants within 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 it was replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form includes the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their results, any steps that must be taken, and the name and name of the engineer who performed the check.
The engineer will give advice on the spot if the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be corrected in order to ensure it is safe to use. If an appliance is deemed to be immediately dangerous or Abnormally Lethal the gas supply must be disconnected until the issue has been resolved.
It is illegal to a tenant who refuses to allow the gas safety check to be conducted. If necessary landlords can apply to the courts for a court order to stop the tenant from preventing the gas safety inspections. However, it's usually easier to write a letter that explains why the checks are vital and what is required. This should encourage tenants who are hesitant to let access to the property. If not the landlord is not willing, he will have to start the eviction procedure.
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 all chimneys and gas appliances they offer to their tenants. how much for landlords gas safety certificate is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and that there aren't any leaks of gas in the property. This is a vitally important responsibility and landlords should ensure that they get their gas inspections done by a qualified 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 inspection in 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.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants with a Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be penalized by the local authority. It is therefore crucial for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out on time and to keep a copy the documents in the event that a tenant asks for it.
Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea because it lets engineers gain access to the appliances for their annual inspections. The engineer will label the appliance as 'at-risk' and may suggest that the tenant refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.
The landlords should also ensure that they provide their tenants with at least 24 hours notice prior to when they enter the property to conduct Gas Safety checks. This gives tenants time to prepare for the visit and provide permission if needed. If a tenant is refusing the engineer's entry the landlord has to explain why this is necessary and what will happen should the tenant refuse. If the tenant is still refusing 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 get a Gas Safety Certificate?
In short, it is the landlord's legal obligation to ensure that their property is equipped with an approved gas safety certificate before tenants move into the property. Failure to comply with this law could result in the landlord being charged or fined heavily. The regulations state that landlords must also furnish copies of the gas safety records to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to perform a gas check on all gas appliances. During the inspection, a Gas Safe registered engineer will identify any issues that could pose a risk to tenants. They will issue a CP12 gas safety document, that 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 as well as the date they were tested as well as their expiration dates. It can help tenants identify problems with appliances or installations and make sure they are aware of how to contact a Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.
Landlords are required to provide their new and current tenants with a gas safety check report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. The landlord must also give the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenancy. Landlords who fail to provide a copy of the gas safety certificate can be prosecuted under the rules and face unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.
Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange for them to be tested each month. The landlord is responsible for repairing an alarm that does not work. This is applicable to councils, private landlords, and housing associations, and also 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 ruling was in accordance with the law that stipulates that landlords with assured shorthold leases must have a gas safety record for their property prior to the time tenants move in.
How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are required by law to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework in their homes are safe for tenants. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. In order to comply with the regulations, landlords are required to arrange annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues that they provide for use within the property. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, and it has to be completed by a qualified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should consider having a boiler inspection done simultaneously with a CP12 inspection. This will ensure that the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Landlords are usually able to get a combined CP12 and boiler service at an affordable price from a qualified gas engineer who can check the seals on boiler burners, inspect the flue system for cracks and leaks, clean the heat exchanger and burner and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 is often referred to by the term "landlord's gas safety certificate" but it is actually known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of safety checks, as well as specifics about any issues or actions that must be addressed. Landlords must give their tenants a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
It is essential that landlords and letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and for maintenance. It's important to educate tenants on the importance of permitting gas engineers access to the property. They should explain that the engineer's presence is necessary to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant does not permit access the agent or landlord must explain the legal obligations in writing. They should then go to the property and force entry if needed.
Tenants should always see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before entering the premises, as this will prove that they are properly qualified to work on your home's gas systems and is able to complete the gas safety check efficiently and effectively. It's also worth bearing in mind that the gas engineer is legally allowed to shut off any malfunctioning equipment and can cut off gas lines when necessary.