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 regularly inspected. You should also provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer determines that an appliance or installation as being immediately dangerous they will request permission to cut off the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches be put in place.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that demonstrates that the gas appliances in the rental property and flues have been checked by a certified gas engineer. The landlord must arrange for an annual gas inspection for each rental property they own at least once per year. The inspection is conducted by a Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all pipes appliances, flues, and pipes are in good working order and that they are in compliance with safety standards.
Landlords are also legally required to provide their tenants with an original copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) after each annual gas safety inspection and test. This should be provided to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the beginning of their tenure.
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 identifies the date of the last gas inspection or test as well as the results of these, any actions or issues that need to be addressed, as well as the name of the person who performed the inspection.
The engineer will offer advice in the event that the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be addressed so that it is safe for use. If an appliance is deemed to be Immediately Dangerous or Abnormally Lethal, the gas supply will have to be turned off until the problem is solved.
If a tenant refuses to allow access for gas security checks to be conducted the tenant is guilty of an infraction that is punishable by law. A landlord may apply to the courts for an injunction should it be necessary, but it is generally easier to simply send a strongly written letter stating why it is essential that the checks are made and what they will involve. This should encourage tenants who are hesitant to allow access to the property. If not the landlord is not willing, he will have to start the eviction procedure.
How often should I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agencies are legally required to carry out an annual gas safety check on all flues and gas appliances that are supplied to tenants. This is to ensure that the equipment is safe to use and that there are no gas leaks within the property. Gas inspections are a crucial obligation for landlords, and they must ensure that they are carried out by a licensed engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is legal document that confirms that the gas inspection was conducted by a qualified engineer within the past 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and must be presented to the tenant to verify 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. It is therefore vital for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out on time and to keep a copy the documentation in the event that a tenant asks for it.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to put inspection hatches on all gas appliances to allow engineers to easily access them for annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be 'at risk' during an inspection the engineer will classify it as such and may disconnect the boiler and recommend that the tenant refrain from using it until the inspection hatch has been installed.
The landlords should also ensure that they give tenants at least 24 hours notice prior to the time they enter the property to carry out Gas Safety checks. This allows tenants time to plan their inspection and request permission if they need. If a tenant refuses access to the engineer the landlord must explain the reason why it is necessary and what happens if the tenant refused. 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 receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
In essence it is the landlord's legal obligation to ensure that their property is equipped with a valid gas safety certification prior to the time tenants move in. Failure to adhere to this law can result in a landlord being prosecuted or fined severely. The regulations also state that a landlord must provide a copy of the gas safety record to their tenants on request.
Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to perform a gas check on all gas appliances. During the inspection, the engineer will note any issues that could present a danger for tenants. The engineer will then issue a CP12 Gas Safety Document, also known as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is an important document that every tenant should keep. It includes information about the gas installations in a rental property and also details about when they were last tested and when they expire. It can help tenants identify any issues with their appliances or installation and make sure that they know how to reach a Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords are required to provide their tenants, both new and existing, with a gas safety check report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. The landlord is also required to provide the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords who do not provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate can be prosecuted under the rules and may be subject to unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.
Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms. They can also arrange for them to be tested each month. The landlord is responsible for fixing an alarm that does not work. The rules around this apply to council, private and housing association landlords and also to licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In June 2017, the High Court decided that it was illegal 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 the law that stipulates that landlords with assured shorthold leases must have a gas safety record for their property prior to when tenants move into.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that gas appliances, flues and pipework within the properties they lease are safe. gas safety certificate homeowner is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To be in compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas inspections on all the gas appliances and flues they install within the property. This is known as a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and it must be completed by a certified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
It's also a good idea for landlords to think about having a boiler service carried out at the same time as the CP12 inspection, since this will help ensure that all gas appliances are functioning in a safe and efficient manner. Gas engineers can provide a combined CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable cost. They will check the seals of boiler burners as well as look for leaks and cracks within the flue system and clean the heat exchanger and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes referred to by the term "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it is actually known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of all the safety checks and the details of any actions or problems that need to be addressed. Landlords are required to give their tenants a CP12 document within 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is essential that the landlords or letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers to visit the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It is crucial to educate tenants about the importance of permitting gas engineers access to the property and explain that the engineer's presence is necessary to safeguard them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to permit access the agent or landlord must outline the legal obligations in writing. They should then go to the property and force entry if necessary.
Tenants should always ask to have a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to they allow them into the home, as this will prove that they're qualified to work on the gas systems in your home and can be trusted to complete the gas safety inspection efficiently and effectively. It is also important to know that a gas engineer can legally shut off the malfunctioning equipment or cut off your gas supply should it be required.