Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances as well as chimneys and flues are regularly inspected. You must also give a copy of the report to your tenants.
If the engineer considers that a particular appliance or installation is immediate danger, they will request permission to shut off gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
gas safety certificate grace period is an official document that proves that all gas appliances and flues in the property that is rented were inspected by an accredited gas engineer. The landlord must arrange for the gas check for each rental property they own at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry out the inspection and check that all pipes, appliances and flues comply with safety regulations.
Landlords are also required by law to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) at the end of each year's gas safety inspection and test. The certificate should be given to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the start of their lease.
CP12 is an abbreviation of 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 contains the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their results, any steps that must be taken, and the name and title of the engineer who performed the inspection.
The engineer will provide advice if the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be corrected to make it safe to use. If an appliance is deemed to be Immediately Dangerous or abnormally lethal, the gas supply will need to be turned off until the problem has been resolved.
If how to get gas safety certificate is unwilling to permit access to the gas safety checks to be carried out, it is an offence that is criminal. A landlord can ask the courts for an injunction in the event of need, but it is generally easier to simply send a strongly worded letter explaining the reason why the checks are conducted and what they'll involve. This should entice a tenant who is reluctant to allow access to the property. If not, the landlord will need 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 gas appliances and chimneys they offer to their tenants. This is to ensure that the equipment is safe to use and that there are no gas leaks in the property. Gas inspections are a vital responsibility for landlords, and they must ensure they are carried out by a certified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document which affirms that an engineer has completed a gas check 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 a time of 12 months, and must be renewed every year.
A landlord who does not provide an Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. It is therefore vital for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out at a timely basis and to keep a copy the certificate in the event that a tenant asks for it.
It is also an excellent idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances so that the engineers can easily access them for annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be in danger during an inspection the engineer will classify it as such and shut off the boiler and advise that tenants not to use it until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords should also make sure that they give tenants at least 24 hours notice before they visit the property to perform Gas Safety checks. This gives tenants time to prepare and request permission, if required. If a tenant does not allow entry to the engineer, the landlord must explain the reason for this and what would happen if the tenant refused. 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 I don't receive 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. Failing to do so is an offense that could lead to landlords being punished with severe fines. The regulations stipulate that landlords must also provide copies of gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property of the landlord to conduct an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, the engineer will note any issues that may present a danger for tenants. The engineer will then issue a CP12 Gas Safety Document, which is also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is a crucial document that every tenant should take possession of and keep. It contains information about the gas installations in a rental property and also details regarding when they last tested and their expiry dates. It can help tenants identify issues with their appliances or installations and make sure they know how to contact a Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.
Landlords must provide an inspection report on gas safety to their tenants, both new and current, within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. They must also provide a copy the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy starts. Landlords who do not provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate can be prosecuted under the regulations and may be subject to unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.
Similar to this landlords must make sure that carbon monoxide detectors are in operation in their properties and make arrangements for them to be tested each month. If the alarm isn't functioning, the landlord has to make the necessary repairs. The rules around this apply to council, private and housing association landlords as well as to licensable houses of multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In June 2017 In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was illegal for landlords to serve Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official Gas Safety Certificate. The decision was by reference to the law which states that landlords of assured shorthold leases must have a gas safety record for their property before tenants move in.
How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are required by law to make sure that the gas appliances, flues, and pipework in their homes are safe for tenants. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. In order to comply with these regulations, landlords must arrange annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues that they supply for use within the property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be signed by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also consider performing a boiler inspection in conjunction with an CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are working properly and safely. Landlords can typically get a combined CP12 and boiler service for an affordable cost from a professional gas engineer. They will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners, inspect the flue system for leaks and cracks cleaning the burner and heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 document is commonly referred to as the 'landlord gas safety certificate' however, it is officially referred to as the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of all safety inspections and the details of any actions or problems that require attention. Landlords must give their tenants a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
gas safety certificate grace period is important that landlords and letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and for maintenance. It's a good idea to inform tenants of the importance of allowing access and explaining that the gas engineer is there to help keep them safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is reluctant to allow access, it's the landlord or letting agent's duty to explain the legal responsibilities in writing, and follow up with a visit to the property to compel entry if needed.
Tenants should always ask to be shown a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before entering the premises to prove that they're qualified to work on the gas systems in your home and are able to complete the gas safety test efficiently and effectively. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally allowed to cut off any defective equipment and can cut off your gas supplies if necessary.