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 every year. You must also provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer deems any device or installation to be immediately dangerous they will ask permission to cut off the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches be put in place.
What is the definition of a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that demonstrates that all of the gas appliances and flues have been checked by a certified gas engineer. Landlords must arrange an annual gas inspection for each rental property they own at least once per year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and ensure that all pipes, appliances and flues comply with safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record), following each annual inspection and test for gas safety. This should be given to tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their lease.
CP12 is an abbreviation used for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was employed by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before it was replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form outlines the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, the results, any actions required to be taken, as well as the name and title of the engineer who conducted the test.
The engineer will give advice in the event that the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will include what needs to be fixed to make it safe to use. If an appliance is deemed immediately dangerous or abnormally lethal the gas supply needs to be disconnected until the problem is resolved.
If a tenant does not permit access to the 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 if necessary, however it is usually much easier to simply send a strongly written letter that explains the reasons why it is crucial that the checks are carried out and what they'll involve. This can make a tenant more hesitant to allow access and, in the event that they do not, the landlord may have to think about starting the process of eviction.
How often should I renew my 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 supply to their 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 ensure that they get their gas inspections done by a qualified gas 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 within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and must also be given to the tenant in order to demonstrate the security of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and has to be renewed each year.
A landlord who is unable to provide a Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. It is therefore vital for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out on time and to keep a copy of the documentation in case a tenant needs it.
It is also an excellent idea for landlords to put inspection hatches on all gas appliances, so that the engineers can easily access them for annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be 'at risk' during an inspection the engineer will declare it to be at risk 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 gives tenants time to plan their inspection and request permission if needed. If a tenant refuses entry to the engineer, the landlord must explain the reason for this and what happens in the event that the tenant refuses. If the tenant is still refusing then the landlord should look into evicting them pursuant to section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if you don't own a Gas Safety Certificate?
In short, it is the landlord's legal obligation to ensure their property has a valid gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into. Failure to comply with this law can result in a landlord being prosecuted or fined heavily. The regulations require 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 a gas check on all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will note any problems that could be a threat to tenants. The engineer will then issue the CP12 Gas Safety Document, also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
what is a landlord gas safety certificate is a crucial document that every tenant must get a hold of and keep. It contains information on the gas appliances in a rented property as well as information regarding when they last tested and when they expire. It will help tenants recognize any issues with the appliances or installation and ensure they are aware of how to contact a Gas Safe engineer to have them checked.
Landlords are required to provide their current and new tenants with a gas safety report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. The landlord is also required to provide an original copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenure. Landlords who do not provide a copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted under the regulations and could face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms. They can also arrange that they be tested each month. The landlord is accountable for repairing an alarm that does not work. This is the case for private landlords, councils 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 certification. The ruling was based on a law that requires landlords with assured shorthold tenancies to have an official gas safety certificate for their property before tenants move into it.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords have a legal responsibility to make sure that the gas appliances, flues and pipework within their properties are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. To ensure compliance with the regulations landlords must conduct annual gas checks of all gas appliances and flues that they install for use in the property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate. It must be filled out by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It's also a good idea for landlords to look into having the boiler service completed at the same time as the CP12 inspection, as this will help ensure that all the gas appliances are operating in a safe and efficient manner. Landlords can typically obtain a combined CP12 and boiler service at a reasonable price from a professional gas engineer. They will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners. They will also inspect the flue system for cracks and leaks, clean the heat exchanger and burner and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 is often known as "landlord's gas safety certificate" but it's actually called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of the safety checks, as well as specifics of any issues or actions that should be addressed. Landlords are required to give tenants a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
It is crucial that landlords and letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It is essential to inform tenants on the importance of permitting gas engineers access to their property and explain that the engineer is there to safeguard them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to allow access it's the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility explain the legal responsibilities in writing, and follow by visiting the property to force entry if necessary.
Tenants should always see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before they allow them into the home to 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 is also important to know that a gas engineer is able to legally shut off the malfunctioning equipment or cut off your gas supply if needed.