Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances chimneys, flues and chimneys are inspected every year. You must also give a copy of the report to your tenants.
If the engineer determines that any appliance or installation is immediate danger they will ask permission to disconnect the supply of gas and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is what is gas safety certificate near me (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate issued by a landlord is an official document that confirms that all gas appliances and flues in the property that is rented were inspected by an experienced gas engineer. The landlord must arrange for a gas check for each rental property that they own at least once a year. The inspection is performed by a Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all pipes appliances, flues, and pipes are in good working condition and that they comply with safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to give tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) at the time of each annual inspection and test for gas safety. The certificate should be provided to tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their tenancy.
CP12 is the abbreviation used for the CORGI Proforma 12 that was employed by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form lists the date of the last gas inspection and test, the results of these, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, and the name of the person who performed the test.
The engineer will offer advice if the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be fixed in order to ensure it is safe to use. If an appliance is deemed to be immediately dangerous or abnormally lethal, the gas supply must be disconnected until the issue is fixed.
It is illegal for a tenant to refuse to allow the gas safety check to be carried out. A landlord can apply to the courts for an injunction order if necessary, however it is generally more efficient to simply send a strongly written letter that explains the reason why the checks are conducted and what they will involve. This can encourage a reluctant tenant to allow access and, if otherwise, the landlord could be required to begin the eviction process.
How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
In the law, landlords and agents for letting are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on all chimneys and gas appliances they offer to their tenants. This is to ensure that the equipment is safe for them to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks in the property. Gas inspections are an essential obligation for landlords and they must ensure they are conducted by a qualified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document which confirms that an engineer has completed a gas inspection in the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord, and should also be given to the tenant in order to demonstrate the security of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and has to be renewed each year.
A landlord who does not provide a Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. It is therefore crucial for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out in a timely manner and to keep a copy of the documentation in case a tenant requests it.
Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea, as it allows engineers to easily access the appliances for their annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be in danger during an inspection, the engineer will formally categorise it as such and may disconnect the boiler and suggest that the tenant refrain from using it until the inspection hatch has been installed.
The landlords should also ensure that they give their tenants at least 24 hours notice prior to the time they are allowed to enter the property to conduct Gas Safety checks. This gives tenants time to prepare for the visit and give permission if needed. If a tenant does not allow the engineer entry, the landlord should inform them why it is necessary and what happens if they don't follow through. If the tenant continues to refuse then the landlord should look into evicting them pursuant to section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if you don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal obligation of a landlord to ensure that their property is equipped with an approved gas safety certificate before tenants move in. Failure to do this is an offence that can cause landlords to be charged and liable to heavy fines. The regulations also state that landlords must provide an original copy of their gas safety report to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property of the landlord in order to perform a gas inspection on all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will take note of any issues that may cause a threat to tenants. They will then issue the CP12 gas safety document, which is known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is an important document that every tenant must keep. It contains information on the gas installations of a rented property and also details about when they were last tested and when they expire. It will help tenants recognize any issues with their appliances or installation and ensure that they know how to contact a Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords are required to provide their tenants, both new and existing, with a gas safety inspection report within 28 days of the engineer visiting their property. The landlord must also provide the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenancy. Landlords who do not provide a copy of the gas safety certificate can be prosecuted in accordance with the regulations and could face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
Similar to this, landlords should ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their properties and have them tested every month. The landlord is responsible for fixing an alarm that does not work. The rules around this apply to council, private, and housing association landlords, and also to licensable houses of multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In June 2017 the High Court ruled that it was illegal for landlords to issue Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid gas Safety Certificate. The decision was made by reference to the law which stipulates that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must obtain a record of their gas safety for their property before tenants move in.
How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords have a legal responsibility to make sure that the gas appliances, flues, and pipework in their properties are safe for tenants. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To be in compliance with these regulations, landlords must organize annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues that they supply for use in the building. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be filled out by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should consider performing a boiler inspection simultaneously with the CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are working properly and safely. Landlords can usually get a combined CP12 and boiler service at an affordable cost from a qualified gas engineer. They will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for leaks and cracks as well as clean the burner and heat exchanger and conduct general maintenance.
The CP12 document is often known as the 'landlord's gas safety certificate' although it is officially called the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of all safety inspections and the details of any actions or issues that need to be resolved. Landlords must provide their tenants the CP12 document not later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is important that landlords and letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and for maintenance. It is essential to inform tenants about the importance of permitting gas engineers access to their property and explain that the engineer is there to safeguard them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to allow access the agent or landlord must explain the legal obligations in writing. Then, they should visit the property and force entry if necessary.
Tenants should always ask to see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before entering the premises, as this will prove that they're qualified to work on your home's gas systems and are able to complete the gas safety test efficiently and efficiently. It's also worth bearing in mind that the gas engineer is legally allowed to shut off any malfunctioning equipment and cut off your gas supply when necessary.