Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure all gas appliances, flues and chimneys undergo annual inspections. You must also give a copy of the report to your tenants.
If the engineer considers an appliance or installation as being immediately dangerous they will request permission to disconnect the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches are installed.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that demonstrates that all of the gas appliances in the rental property and flues have been checked by a licensed gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange an annual gas inspection for each rental property they own at least once per year. The inspection is performed by a Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all of the pipework, appliances, and flues are in good working condition and in compliance with safety standards.
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 document should be handed out to tenants within 28 days following the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their tenure.
CP12 is an abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was used by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) prior to being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form lists the date of the last gas inspection or test, the results, any issues or actions that need to be addressed, and the name of the person who conducted the test.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas device and the engineer will give advice on what must be done to ensure it is safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be dangerous immediately or abnormally lethal the gas supply needs to be shut off until the issue is fixed.
It is illegal to a tenant who refuses to let the gas safety inspection to be carried out. If necessary the landlord has the right to ask the courts for a court order to prohibit the tenant from preventing the gas safety inspections. However, it's more common to send a letter that explains why the checks are essential and what will be involved. This should encourage the tenant who is hesitant to allow access to the property. If not the landlord has to begin the eviction process.
How often should I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agencies are required by law to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on all gas appliances and flues that they provide to tenants. This is done to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks in the property. This is an essential responsibility and landlords should be sure to are inspected for gas by a certified gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document which confirms that an engineer has completed a gas inspection in the last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord, and should be provided to the tenant to prove the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and needs to be renewed annually.
A landlord who fails to provide the Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. It is therefore essential for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out on time and to keep a copy the certificate in case a tenant needs it.
Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea since it allows engineers to easily access the appliances for annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be at risk during an inspection, the engineer will formally classify it as such and will shut off the boiler and advise that the tenant refrain from using it until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords must also give tenants at least 24 hours' notice before entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This will allow tenants to prepare for the visit and grant permission, if required. If a tenant does not allow the engineer access the landlord should send a letter to them explaining the reason for the visit and what happens in the event that they do not comply. If the tenant does not allow the engineer entry, the landlord could decide to evict the tenant under section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.
What is the consequence if I don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
In essence it's a landlord's legal duty to ensure their property has an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into the property. Failing to do so is an offense that could lead to landlords being prosecuted and subject to severe fines. The regulations also state that landlords must provide a copy of the gas safety report to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property for an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will take note of any issues that could pose a risk to tenants. The engineer will issue the CP12 Gas Safety Document, also known as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is a crucial document that every tenant should keep. It contains information on the gas installations of a rented property, as well as details regarding when they last tested and their expiry dates. It will help tenants recognize problems with appliances or installations and ensure that they know how to contact the Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.
Landlords are required to provide their current and new tenants with a gas safety report within 28 days of the engineer's visit to their property. They must also provide a copy the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy commences. Landlords who fail to provide the copy of the gas certificate may be prosecuted and could face unlimited fines or six months in prison.
Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms. They should also arrange that they be tested each month. The landlord is responsible for fixing any alarm that doesn't work. This is applicable to private landlords, councils and housing associations, and also licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.
In landlord gas safety certificate cost 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 based on a law that requires landlords with assured shorthold leases to obtain a gas safety certificate 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 properties they rent out are safe. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. In order to comply with these regulations, landlords must conduct annual gas inspections on all gas appliances and flues they provide for use in the property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate and it must be filled out by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It is also a good idea for landlords to look into having an annual boiler service performed at the same time as the CP12 inspection, as it will help ensure that all gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Landlords are usually able to get a combined CP12 and boiler service for a reasonable price from a professional gas engineer. They will be able to check the seals on boiler burners, inspect the flue system for cracks and leaks cleaning the burner and 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 tests, as well as specifics of any issues or actions that must be taken care of. Landlords must provide their tenants with a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
It is essential that the landlord or letting agent only permit Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises to conduct safety checks and for maintenance. It's a good idea to inform tenants of the importance of allowing access and explain that the gas engineer will protect them from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant does not allow access, the landlord or agent must explain the legal obligations in writing. Then, they should visit the property and force entry if required.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before they are allowed to enter the property. This will confirm that the engineer is qualified to work on the systems in your home and can therefore be trusted to perform the safety inspection. It is also important to know that a gas technician can legally disconnect the malfunctioning equipment or cut off your gas supply should it be required.