Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As an owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, flues and chimneys are inspected annually. The law also requires that you provide a copy the check to your tenants.
If the engineer considers that a particular appliance or installation is imminently dangerous, they will request permission to disconnect gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A landlord gas safety certificate is a document which demonstrates that all of the gas appliances and flues have been checked by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are legally obliged to organize a gas safety check annually for each rental property they own. 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 provide tenants with an original copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) following each annual gas safety inspection and test. The certificate should be given to tenants in the 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any 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 shows the date of the last gas inspection or test as well as the results of these tests, any issues or actions that need to be addressed, as well as the name of the person who performed the inspection.
The engineer will provide advice on the spot if the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will include the items that need to be addressed to make it safe to use. If an appliance is deemed dangerous immediately or abnormally dangerous the gas supply should be disconnected until the problem is fixed.
It is illegal for a tenant to refuse to let the gas safety inspection to be carried out. A landlord can apply to the courts for an injunction order should it be necessary, but it is generally more efficient to simply send a well written letter that explains why it is essential that the checks are carried out and what they will involve. This will encourage a tenant who is reluctant to allow access to the house. If not, the landlord will need to start the eviction procedure.
How often should I get a 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 that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and there are no gas leaks in the property. This is a crucial responsibility for landlords and they should ensure that they have their gas inspections completed by a qualified gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is a legal document that confirms that a gas inspection has been conducted by a qualified engineer within the past 12 months. It is given to the landlord and must be given to the tenant as proof of the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months and has to be renewed annually.
If a landlord does not provide their tenants with a Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be fined by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be completed by landlords in time. They should also keep a copy of the certificate in case tenants request it.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances, so that engineers can easily access the hatches for annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be 'at risk' during an inspection, the engineer will formally categorise it as such and will shut off the boiler and recommend that tenants not to use it until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords are also required to provide their tenants with 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 they need. If a tenant does not allow the engineer's entry the landlord has to explain the reason why it is necessary and what happens should the tenant refuse. If the tenant continues to refuse, then the landlord should consider evicting them using section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What is the consequence if you don't possess a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal responsibility of a landlord to make sure that their property is equipped with an official gas safety certificate that is valid before tenants move in. Failure to do this is an offense that could cause landlords to be charged and liable to heavy fines. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must provide an electronic copy of the gas safety certificate to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property for an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will note any problems that could pose a risk to tenants. The engineer will issue the CP12 Gas Safety Document, which is also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is a vital document that every tenant must take possession of and keep. It contains information about the gas installations of a rented property as well as information about when they were last tested and their expiry dates. It can help tenants spot any issues with the appliances or installations and ensure that they are aware of how to reach a Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords are required to provide an inspection report on gas safety to their tenants, both new and existing within 28 days of the date that the engineer has visited their property. The landlord must also give an original copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenancy. Landlords who fail in providing the copy of the gas certificate may be prosecuted and face unlimited fines or even six months in prison.
In the same way, landlords must make sure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms. They can also arrange that they be tested every month. The landlord is responsible for repairing an alarm that does not work. The rules around this are applicable to council, private, and housing association landlords, and also to 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 an official gas safety certificate. The decision was made based on the law that states that landlords of assured shorthold tenancies must obtain a gas safety record for their property before tenants move into.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are required by law to ensure that gas appliances, flues, and pipework in their properties are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 deal with this. To be in compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to arrange annual gas checks on all the gas appliances and flues they provide for use in the property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate and it must be signed by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
MK Gas Safety should also think about conducting a boiler inspection simultaneously with an CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Landlords can usually get a combined CP12 and boiler service for an affordable price from a professional gas engineer. They will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for cracks and leaks, clean the heat exchanger and burner and conduct general maintenance.
The CP12 is often referred to by the term "landlord's gas safety certificate" however it is actually called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It includes the results of the safety inspections, and specifics of any issues or actions that must be taken care of. Landlords are required to give their tenants a CP12 document not later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is essential that landlords and letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and for maintenance. It is a good idea to inform tenants of the importance of allowing access and explain that the gas engineer is there to protect them from carbon monoxide poisoning. If a tenant is hesitant to let access in it is the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility explain the legal responsibilities in writing. Then follow with a visit to the property to force entry if needed.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to allowing them to enter the property. This will prove that the engineer has the necessary qualifications to work with the systems in your home and can therefore be trusted to carry out the safety check. You should also be aware that a gas technician can legally disconnect defective equipment or shut off your gas supply if needed.