Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As an owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys are inspected annually. It is also your responsibility to provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer determines that a particular appliance or installation is immediately dangerous they will ask permission to shut off gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A landlord gas safety certificate is a document that demonstrates that all the gas appliances in the rental property and flues have been checked by a certified gas engineer. The landlord must arrange for the gas check for each rental property they own at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry out the inspection and check that all pipes, appliances and flues comply with safety standards.
Landlords are also legally required to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) after each annual gas safety inspection and test. This should be given to tenants within 28 days following the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their lease.
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 identifies the date of the last gas inspection and tests, the results, any actions or issues that need to be addressed, and the name of the engineer who carried out the check.
The engineer will give advice in the event that the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will include what needs to be addressed so that it is safe for use. If an appliance is deemed Immediately Dangerous, or Abnormally dangerous the gas supply should be shut off until the issue is resolved.
It is a crime to a tenant who refuses to allow the gas safety check to be carried out. If needed landlords can apply to the courts for a court order to stop the tenant from refusing to allow gas safety checks. However, it's often easier to write a letter that describes why the check is important and what's required. This will encourage a tenant who is reluctant to let access to the property. If not the landlord is not willing, he will have to begin the eviction process.
How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
In the law, landlords and agents for letting are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on the chimneys and gas appliances they offer 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 an essential responsibility for landlords and they should make sure that they get their gas inspections done by a licensed gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is an official document that proves that the gas inspection was conducted by a qualified engineer within the past 12 months. It is given to the landlord and must be given to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months and has to be renewed each year.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants with a Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be fined by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be performed by landlords on time. They should keep a copy in the event that tenants request it.
Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea, since it allows engineers to quickly access the appliances for annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be 'at risk' during an inspection, the engineer will formally classify it as such and may disconnect the boiler and advise that tenants not to use it until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords must also give tenants at least 24 hours' notice prior to entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This gives tenants time to prepare for the visit and give permission if necessary. If a tenant is refusing access to the engineer, the landlord must explain the reason for this and what happens if the tenant refused. If the tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord can consider evicting the tenant under section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if I don't receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
In essence, it's a landlord's legal duty to ensure that their home has a valid gas safety certificate before tenants move into the property. In the absence of this, it's an offense that could lead to landlords being charged and liable to heavy fines. The regulations also state that landlords must give a copy of the gas safety record to their tenants on request.
Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to perform an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will note any problems that could be a threat to tenants. They will issue the CP12 gas safety certificate, which is also 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 in the rental property, as well as details on when they were last tested and their expiry dates. It can help tenants identify 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 their current and new tenants with a gas safety report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. The landlord is also required to provide the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenure. Landlords who fail to provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate can be prosecuted under the regulations and could face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
In the same way landlords must make sure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their homes and have them tested every month. If the alarm is not working, the landlord must make the necessary repairs. The rules governing this apply to council, private, and housing association landlords as well as to 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 in accordance with the law that states that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must obtain an approved gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move into the property.
How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework in their homes are safe for tenants. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To ensure compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues they supply to tenants. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate. It must be signed by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It is also an excellent idea for landlords to look into having the boiler service completed simultaneously with the CP12 inspection, as this will ensure that all the gas appliances are working properly and safely. Landlords can typically get a combined CP12 and boiler service for a reasonable price from a qualified gas engineer who can check the seals on boiler burners. They will also inspect the flue system for leaks and cracks cleaning the burner and heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 document is commonly referred to as the 'landlord gas safety certificate', although it is officially called the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of safety checks, as well as specifics of any issues or actions that need to be addressed. Landlords must provide their tenants the CP12 document within 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It's important that the landlords or letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers to access the property for safety checks and maintenance. It is a good idea to inform tenants of the importance of allowing access and explain that the gas engineer is there to ensure they are safe from carbon monoxide 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 required.
Tenants should always ask to be shown a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to letting them in to ensure that they're competent to work on your home's gas systems and can be trusted to complete the gas safety check efficiently and effectively. You should also be aware that a gas engineer is able to legally shut off defective equipment or shut off the gas supply in case of need.