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 checks. The law also requires you give a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer determines that an appliance or installation as being immediately dangerous, they will request permission to disconnect the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches be put in place.
What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A landlord gas safety certificate is a document which demonstrates that all of the gas appliances in the rental property and flues have been examined by a licensed gas engineer. Landlords must arrange a gas check for each rental property they have at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and ensure that all pipes, appliances and flues comply with safety regulations.
Landlords are also legally required to give their tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) following each annual gas safety inspection and test. The certificate should be provided to tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their lease.
CP12 is the abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 that was employed by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form lists the date of the last gas inspection or test and the results, any issues or actions that need to be addressed, and the name of the engineer who carried out the test.
The engineer will provide advice in the event that the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be fixed in order to ensure it is safe to use. If a gas appliance is found to be dangerous immediately or abnormally dangerous the gas supply needs to be turned off until the issue has been resolved.
It is a crime to a tenant who refuses to allow the gas safety check to be conducted. A landlord may apply to the courts for an injunction order in the event of need, but it is generally more efficient to simply send a well written letter that explains the reason why the checks are made and what they'll involve. This should entice tenants who are hesitant to let 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 agents are required by law to conduct an annual safety check on all gas appliances and flues that they supply to tenants. This is to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks within the property. Gas inspections are a vital responsibility for landlords, and they should ensure that they are conducted by a certified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is an official document that proves that a gas inspection has been completed by a qualified engineer in the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and should be presented to the tenant in order to demonstrate the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months and has to be renewed annually.
A landlord who fails to provide the Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. It is therefore vital for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out in a timely manner and to keep a copy the certificate in case a tenant requests it.
It is also a good idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances, so that the engineers can easily access the hatches for annual inspections. The engineer will categorise the appliance as being at-risk and may recommend that tenants stop using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords should also make sure that they give tenants at least 24 hours notice prior to when they are allowed to enter the property to carry out Gas Safety checks. This will allow tenants to prepare for the visit and grant permission, if required. If a tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer entry the landlord should write to them explaining why the engineer is required and what will happen in the event that they do not comply. If the tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord may think about evicting the tenant in accordance with section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if you don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
In short, it is the landlord's legal obligation to ensure that their home has an approved gas safety certificate before tenants move into. Failing to do so is an offense that could lead to landlords being prosecuted and subject to severe fines. The regulations stipulate that landlords must also provide copies of gas safety records to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property of the landlord to perform an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will take note of any issues that may cause a threat for tenants. The engineer will issue an CP12 Gas Safety Document, 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 contains information about gas installations in rental properties, including when they were tested and their expiration dates. It can help tenants identify issues with their appliances and installations and ensure that they are aware of how to contact an Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.
Landlords are required to provide their new and current tenants with a gas safety check report within 28 days of the engineer visiting their property. The landlord must also provide a copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenure. Landlords who fail to provide a copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted under the regulations and may be subject to unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms. They should also arrange that they be tested each month. If the alarm is not working, the landlord should repair it. This applies to councils, private landlords, and housing associations as well as licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017 In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was illegal for landlords to send Section 21 notices without providing 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 an approved gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move in.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework within the properties they rent out are safe. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To ensure compliance with the regulations landlords must conduct annual gas checks of all gas appliances and flues they supply for use in a property. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be filled out by a licensed Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It's also a good idea for landlords to think about having an annual boiler service performed in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, since it will help ensure that all gas appliances are working in a safe and efficient manner. Landlords can usually get a combined CP12 and boiler service for an affordable price from a qualified gas engineer who can check the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for cracks and leaks cleaning the burner and heat exchanger and conduct general maintenance.
The CP12 is often referred to by the term "landlord's gas safety certificate" but it actually is called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of all safety checks and the details of any actions or issues that require attention. 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 landlords or letting agents permit Gas Safe registered engineers to visit the property for safety checks and maintenance. It is crucial to educate tenants about the importance of giving gas engineers access to the property and explain that the engineer's job is to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If a tenant is hesitant to allow access it is the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility clarify the legal obligations in writing, and follow up with a visit to the property to force entry if needed.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before entering the property. This will ensure that the engineer is competent to work with the systems in your home and can therefore be trusted to conduct the safety check. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally permitted to cut off any defective equipment and can shut off gas lines when necessary.