homeowner gas safety certificate and Boiler Service
As an owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, flues and chimneys undergo annual inspections. The law also requires you give a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer deems any appliance or installation as being immediately dangerous, they will ask for permission to cut off the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches are installed.
What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A landlord gas safety certificate is a document that demonstrates that all of the gas appliances and flues have been checked by a certified gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange an annual gas inspection for each rental property they own at least once per year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and verify that all pipework, appliances and flues conform with safety regulations.
Landlords are also legally required to provide tenants with copies of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) after each annual gas safety inspection and test. The document should be handed out to tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their tenancy.
CP12 is an abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 which was employed by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) prior to being 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, and the name and the title of the engineer that conducted the check.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance and the engineer will give advice on what needs to be done to ensure its safe use. If an appliance is deemed to be immediately dangerous or Abnormally Lethal, the gas supply must be shut off until the issue is resolved.
landlord gas safety certificate and boiler service is a crime to a tenant who refuses to allow the gas safety inspection to be conducted. If necessary landlords can apply to the courts for an order to stop the tenant from preventing the gas safety inspections. However, it is usually easier to write a letter that describes why the check is important and what's required. This will encourage a tenant who is reluctant to allow access to the property. If not, the landlord will need to initiate the eviction process.
How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
By law, landlords and letting agents are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection of all gas appliances and chimneys they offer to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and that there aren't leaks of gas in the property. Gas inspections are a vital responsibility for landlords, and they must ensure they are carried out by a qualified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document that affirms that an engineer has completed a gas inspection in the last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord and must be provided to the tenant as proof of the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months, and has to be renewed each year.
A landlord who fails to provide an Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. Gas Safety checks must be completed by landlords in time. They must also keep a copy in case tenants request it.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to put inspection hatches on all gas appliances so that the engineers can easily access them for inspections every year. 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 must also ensure that they give tenants at least 24 hours notice prior to the time they are allowed to enter the property to conduct Gas Safety checks. This allows tenants to prepare and ask permission if they need. If a tenant refuses to allow the engineer access, the landlord should write to them explaining why the engineer is required and what will happen if they don't comply. 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?
It is the legal responsibility of a landlord to ensure that their property is equipped with an official gas safety certificate that is valid prior to the time tenants move into. Failure to comply with the law can lead to a landlord being prosecuted or fined severely. The regulations also state that a landlord must provide an original copy of their gas safety certificate to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to conduct an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection, the engineer will note any issues that could present a danger to tenants. The engineer will then issue a CP12 Gas Safety Document, also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is a crucial document that every tenant should keep. It includes information about the gas installations in a rented property as well as information regarding when they last tested and their expiry dates. It can help tenants identify any issues with the appliances or installation and make sure that they know 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 inspection report within 28 days of the engineer's visit to their property. The landlord must also give the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords who fail to provide a copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted in accordance with the regulations and may be subject to unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.
Similar to this landlords must ensure that carbon monoxide detectors work in their properties and have them checked every month. The landlord is responsible for fixing an alarm that does not work. This applies to private landlords, councils and housing associations, and also licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017 In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was unlawful for landlords to serve Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid Gas Safety Certificate. The decision was made by reference to the law which states that landlords of assured shorthold tenancies must have a record of their gas safety for their property before tenants move in.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that gas appliances, flues, and pipework in the properties they rent out are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. To be in compliance with these regulations, landlords must conduct annual gas inspections on all the gas appliances and flues that they provide for use in the building. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate and it must be signed by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should consider performing a boiler inspection at the same time as a CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Gas engineers can provide the combination CP12 inspection and boiler service for a reasonable price. They will inspect the boiler burner's seals and look for leaks and cracks in the flue system and clean the heat exchanger, and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes known as "landlord's gas safety certificate" however it's actually called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It includes the results of the safety tests, as well as specifics of any issues or actions that need to be taken care of. Landlords must provide their tenants the CP12 document within 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is essential that landlords and letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It's a good idea inform tenants of the necessity of allowing access, and explain that the gas engineer will help keep them safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If a tenant is hesitant to allow access it's the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility clarify the legal obligations in writing. Then follow by visiting the property to compel entry if needed.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before allowing them to enter the property. This will confirm that the engineer is qualified to work with the systems in your home and can therefore be trusted to conduct the safety check. It is also important to know that a gas engineer is able to legally shut off faulty equipment or cut off your gas supply should it be required.
