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Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys are inspected annually. The law also requires that you give a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer deems any device or installation to be immediately dangerous they will request permission to disconnect the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches be installed.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A landlord's gas safety certificate is an official document that proves that all gas appliances and flues in the rental property have been inspected by an experienced gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange a gas check for each rental property they own at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and ensure that all pipes, appliances and flues are in compliance with safety regulations.
Landlords are also legally required to give their tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) following each annual gas safety inspection and test. This should be provided to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the beginning of their tenure.
CP12 is the abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 that was used 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 and the results of these tests, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, and the name of the engineer who carried out the inspection.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas appliance and the engineer will give advice on what needs to be done to ensure it is safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediate danger or Abnormally Lethal, the gas supply will have to be shut off until the issue has been resolved.
If a tenant is unwilling to permit access to the gas security checks to be conducted it is an offence that is criminal. A landlord may apply to the courts for an injunction should it be necessary, but it is generally more efficient to send a clearly written letter stating the reasons why it is crucial that the checks are made and what they will involve. This will encourage the tenant who is hesitant to allow access to the house. If not the landlord has to initiate the eviction process.
How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
The landlords and letting agencies are required by law to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on all gas appliances and flues that are supplied to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe to use and there are no gas leaks within the property. This is a crucial obligation and landlords must be sure to have their gas inspections completed by a licensed gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is an official document that proves that an inspection of the gas supply has been completed by a qualified engineer within the past 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and must be presented to the tenant to prove the safety of gas supply. It is valid for 12 months, and has to be renewed each year.
A landlord who fails to provide the Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. It is therefore vital for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out in a timely manner and keep a copy of the documentation in case a tenant requests it.
Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea as it allows engineers to gain access to the appliances for annual inspections. The engineer will label the appliance as 'at-risk' and may suggest that tenants refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords must also ensure that they give tenants a minimum of 24 hours notice before they visit the property to carry out Gas Safety checks. This gives tenants time to prepare and ask permission if they need. If a tenant refuses to permit the engineer to enter the landlord should inform them why the engineer is required and what will happen if they don't follow through. 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 I don't get 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 prior to the time tenants move in. Failure to do this is an offence that can result in landlords being punished with severe fines. The regulations require that landlords must also furnish copies of the gas safety certificates 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 the engineer will be able to identify any issues that could pose a risk to tenants. The engineer will issue a CP12 Gas Safety Document, also known as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is a very important document that every tenant must keep. It contains information on the gas installations in a rental property and also details about when they were last checked and the expiry dates. It can help tenants identify problems with appliances or installations and ensure that they know how contact a Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.
Landlords are required to provide their current and new tenants with a gas safety check report within 28 days of the engineer visiting their property. The landlord must also give an original copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords who fail in providing the the gas certificate could be prosecuted and face unlimited fines, or six months in prison.
The same way landlords must ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are in operation in their homes and make arrangements for them to be tested every month. The landlord is responsible for repairing the problem if the alarm does not work. This applies to private landlords, councils and housing associations as well as licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017 In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was illegal for landlords to serve Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid Gas Safety Certificate. The decision was based on the law that states that landlords of assured shorthold tenancies must have a gas safety record for their property before tenants move into the property.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework in the homes they lease out are safe. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To be in compliance with the regulations landlords are required to conduct annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues they supply for use in the property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate. It must be completed by a licensed Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
gas safe certificate check 's also recommended for landlords to look into having the boiler service completed at the same time as the CP12 inspection, since this will help ensure that all the gas appliances are working correctly and safely. Gas engineers can provide a combined CP12 inspection and boiler service for a reasonable price. They will examine the boiler burner's seals and look for cracks and leaks in the flue system and clean the heat exchanger and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 document is often referred to as the 'landlord gas safety certificate', however, it is officially referred to as the Gas Safety Record documentation. It includes the results of the safety checks, as well as details of any problems or actions that should be taken care of. Landlords must provide their tenants with a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
It is crucial that landlords and letting agents only permit Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property for safety inspections and maintenance. It's a good idea inform tenants of the necessity of allowing access, and explain that the gas engineer will ensure they are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is reluctant to let access in it's the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility to clarify the legal obligations in writing, and follow with a visit to the property to force entry if necessary.
Tenants should always have a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before letting them in to prove that they're qualified to work on the gas systems in your home and are able to complete the gas safety test efficiently and effectively. It's also worth bearing in mind that the gas engineer is legally permitted to cut off any defective equipment and cut off your gas supply if necessary.