Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances chimneys, flues and chimneys are regularly inspected. You should also provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer determines that an appliance or installation as being immediately dangerous they will request permission to shut off the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches are installed.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A landlord gas safety certificate is a document which demonstrates that the gas appliances and flues have been examined by a licensed gas engineer. Landlords are legally required arrange a gas safety check every year for each rental property they own. The inspection is performed 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 give their tenants copies of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) after 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 an abbreviation used for 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, the results, any steps required to be taken, as well as the name and name of the engineer who conducted the inspection.
The engineer will give advice on the spot if the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will include the items that need to be addressed to make it safe to use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediate danger or Abnormally Lethal, the gas supply will have to be disconnected until the issue is resolved.
If a tenant is unwilling to permit access to the gas safety checks to be completed the tenant is guilty of an infraction that is punishable by law. If needed, a landlord can ask the courts for an order to prohibit the tenant from preventing gas safety checks. However, it is more common to send a letter that explains why the checks are essential and what will be involved. This should convince a tenant who is reluctant to allow access and, in the event that they do otherwise, the landlord could have to think about starting the eviction process.
How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
The law requires that landlords and agents for letting 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 to use and that there aren't gas leaks in the property. This is a vitally important obligation and landlords must ensure that they get their gas inspections done by a certified gas 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 in the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and must also be given to the tenant to prove the safety of gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and needs to be renewed each year.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants with an Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be fined by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be carried out by landlords on time. They must also keep a copy of the certificate in case tenants ask for it.
It is also an excellent idea for landlords to put 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 declare it to be at risk and may disconnect the boiler and recommend that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords are also required to give their tenants at least 24 hours' notice prior to entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This will allow tenants to prepare for the visit and give permission, if required. If a tenant is refusing access to the engineer the landlord has to explain why this is necessary and what happens in the event that the tenant refuses. If the tenant continues to refuse the engineer entry, then the landlord must consider evicting them using section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if I don't receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
In short, it's the landlord's legal responsibility to ensure that their property is equipped with a valid gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into. Failing to do so is an offense that could lead to landlords being charged and liable to heavy fines. The regulations also state that landlords must give an original copy of their gas safety certificate to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord to conduct an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, a Gas Safe registered engineer will identify any issues that could pose a danger to tenants. They will then issue an CP12 gas safety document, which is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is a vital piece of documentation that every tenant should take possession of and keep. It contains information on the gas installations of a rental property, as well as details regarding when they last tested and their expiry dates. gas safety certificate check will help tenants recognize issues with their appliances or installations and make sure they are aware of how to contact the Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.
Landlords are required to provide a gas safety report to their tenants, new and current within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. The landlord must also give the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenancy. Landlords that fail to provide the the gas certificate could be charged and face unlimited fines, or six months in prison.
The same way landlords must ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their homes and arrange for them being tested every month. If the alarm is not working, the landlord should repair it. The rules for this apply to council, private, and housing association landlords, as well as licensable houses of multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In June 2017 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 certificate. The decision was made in accordance with the law that states that landlords with assured shorthold leases must have a record of their gas safety for their property prior to when tenants move into the property.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are required by law to ensure that gas appliances, flues, and pipework in their homes are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 regulate this. To comply with these regulations, landlords must organize annual gas inspections of 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 has to be signed by a licensed Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It is also recommended for landlords to think about having an annual boiler service performed in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, as it will help ensure that all the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Landlords can usually receive a combination CP12 and boiler service at an affordable 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 as well as clean the burner and heat exchanger and conduct general maintenance.
The CP12 document is commonly known as the 'landlord's gas safety certificate', but it is actually the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of all safety inspections and the details of any actions or problems that need to be addressed. Landlords are required to give their tenants a CP12 document not later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is crucial that landlords and letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property for safety inspections and maintenance. It's a good idea to inform tenants of the importance of allowing access and explaining that the gas engineer will protect them from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to allow access the agent or landlord must outline the legal obligations in writing. They should then go to the property and force entry if necessary.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to they are allowed to enter the property. This will confirm that the engineer is competent to work on your home's systems and therefore be trusted to perform the safety inspection. Be aware that a gas engineer is able to legally remove the malfunctioning equipment or cut off your gas supply should it be required.