Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys are inspected annually. The law also requires that you provide a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer determines that an device or installation to be immediately dangerous they will ask permission to shut off the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches are installed.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document which demonstrates that the gas appliances and flues have been checked by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are legally obliged to conduct a gas safety inspection once per year for each rental property they own. The inspection is conducted by a Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all pipes and appliances as well as flues are in good working condition and that they are in compliance with the safety regulations.
Landlords are also legally required to provide tenants with an original copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) following each annual gas safety inspection and test. This should be given to tenants within 28 days after 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 used by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before it was replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form includes the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their results, any steps that must be taken, and the name and the title of the engineer who conducted the inspection.
The engineer will offer advice in the event that the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will include what needs to be corrected in order to ensure it is safe to use. If an appliance is deemed dangerous immediately or abnormally dangerous the gas supply should be turned off until the issue is fixed.
If a tenant does not allow access for the gas security checks to be conducted the tenant is guilty of a criminal offence. A landlord can apply to the courts for an injunction in the event of need, but it is usually much easier to simply send a well worded letter explaining why it is essential that the checks are conducted and what they will entail. This should encourage the tenant who is hesitant to allow access to the house. If not the landlord is not willing, he will have to start the eviction procedure.
How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agencies are legally required to carry out an annual gas safety inspection on all flues and gas appliances that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe to use and that there aren't any leaks of gas in the property. Gas inspections are a crucial obligation for landlords and they must ensure that they are carried out by a qualified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is legal document that confirms that a gas inspection has been performed by a licensed engineer within the last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord and should be handed over to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months and must be renewed each year.
A landlord who does not provide a Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. Gas Safety checks must be completed by landlords in time. They should keep a copy in the event that tenants request it.
Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea as it allows engineers to quickly access the appliances to conduct annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be in danger during an inspection the engineer will categorise it as such and will shut off the boiler and suggest that tenants not to use it until the inspection hatch is installed.
The landlords should also ensure that they give their tenants a minimum of 24 hours notice before they are allowed to enter the property to conduct Gas Safety checks. This gives tenants time to prepare for the visit and grant permission, if required. If homeowner gas safety certificate refuses entry to the engineer, the landlord must explain why this is necessary and what happens if the tenant refused. If the tenant still refuses, then the landlord should consider evicting them using section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if you don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal responsibility of a landlord to make sure that their property is fitted with a gas safety certificate valid before tenants move into. Infractions to the law can lead to the landlord being prosecuted or fined severely. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must provide an original copy of their gas safety record to their tenants on 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 cause a threat for tenants. They will then issue a CP12 gas safety document, which is known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is an important piece of documentation that all tenants should take possession of and keep. It includes information about the gas installations of the rental property, as well as details on when they were last tested and when they expire. It can help tenants identify issues with their appliances or installations and ensure that they know how to contact a Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.
Landlords are required to provide a gas safety report to their tenants, both new and existing within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. They must also provide a copy the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy starts. Landlords who do not provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate can be prosecuted in accordance with the regulations and face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange for them to be tested every month. The landlord is responsible for fixing the problem if the alarm does not work. The rules around this are applicable to council, private and housing association landlords as well as 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 certification. The ruling was based on the law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold leases to obtain a gas safety certificate for their property prior to when tenants move in.
How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework within their properties are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 regulate this. To ensure compliance with the regulations landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks of all gas appliances and flues they supply for use in the property. This is known as a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, and it has to be completed by a qualified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
It is also recommended for landlords to consider having the boiler service completed at the same time as the CP12 inspection, as it will help ensure that all the gas appliances are working in a safe and efficient manner. Landlords can typically obtain a combined CP12 and boiler service for a reasonable price from a professional gas engineer. They will be able to check the seals on boiler burners. They will also inspect the flue system for cracks and leaks cleaning the burner and heat exchanger and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 is often called "landlord's gas safety certificate" but it actually is known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of safety tests, as well as details of any problems or actions that need to be taken care of. Landlords are required to provide their tenants a CP12 document no later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is essential that landlords or letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It is essential to inform tenants about the importance of permitting gas engineers access to the property. They should explain that the engineer is there to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is reluctant to permit access, it's the landlord or letting agent's responsibility explain the legal responsibilities in writing, and follow with a visit to the property to compel entry if needed.
Tenants should always ask to see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to letting them in to ensure that they're qualified to work on your home's gas systems and are able to complete the gas safety test efficiently and efficiently. Be aware that a gas engineer is able to legally disconnect faulty equipment or cut off the gas supply in case of need.