Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, flues and chimneys undergo annual inspections. The law also requires you provide a copy the check to your tenants.
If the engineer deems any device or installation to be immediately dangerous, they will ask for permission to shut off the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches be installed.
What is the definition of a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that demonstrates that all the gas appliances and flues have been examined by a certified gas engineer. Landlords are legally required to organize a gas safety check annually for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and verify that all pipework, appliances and flues conform with safety standards.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) after every annual inspection and test for gas safety. The document should be handed out to tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their tenancy.
CP12 is an abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was employed by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) prior to being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form identifies 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 engineer who carried out the inspection.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance, the engineer will advise on what must be done to make it safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be Immediately Dangerous, or Abnormally dangerous the gas supply should be turned off until the issue is resolved.
It is a crime for a tenant to refuse to let the gas safety check to be carried out. A landlord can ask the courts for an injunction if necessary, however it is generally more efficient to send a clearly worded letter explaining the reason why the checks are conducted and what they'll involve. gas certificate will encourage a tenant who is reluctant to let access to the property. If not the landlord has to start the eviction procedure.
How often should I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
By law, landlords and agents for letting are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on all chimneys and gas appliances that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and that there aren't leaks of gas in the property. Gas inspections are an essential obligation for landlords, and they must ensure that they are carried out by a qualified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is legal document that confirms that a gas inspection has been conducted by a qualified engineer in the last 12 months. gas certificate is issued to the landlord and should be provided to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and needs to be renewed each year.
If a landlord is unable to provide their tenants with a Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be punished by the local authority. It is therefore crucial for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out at a timely basis and keep a copy of the documents in the event that a tenant asks for it.
Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea as it allows engineers to easily access the appliances for annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be in danger during an inspection the engineer will classify it as such and shut off the boiler and suggest that the tenant refrain from using it until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords are also required to give their tenants at least 24 hours' notice before entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows tenants time to prepare and ask permission if needed. If a tenant is refusing entry to the engineer the landlord has to explain why this is necessary and what will happen in the event that the tenant refuses. If the tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer entry, the landlord can think about evicting the tenant in accordance with section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if I don't receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal obligation of landlords to ensure that their property is fitted with an approved gas safety certificate before tenants move into. Failure to adhere to the law can lead to a landlord being prosecuted or fined severely. The regulations stipulate 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 note any issues that may cause a threat for tenants. The engineer will issue an CP12 Gas Safety Document, which is also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is an important document that every tenant should keep. It includes information about the gas installations in a rental property, as well as details regarding when they last tested and when they expire. It will help tenants recognize issues with their 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 date that the engineer visits their property. The landlord must also give the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords who fail to provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate can be prosecuted in accordance with the regulations and could face unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.
Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms. They can also arrange for them to be tested each month. If the alarm is not working, the landlord should 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 the High Court decided that it was unlawful for landlords to issue Section 21 notices if they did not provide their tenants with a valid gas safety certificate. The decision was based upon the law that requires landlords with assured shorthold leases to obtain a gas safety certificate for their property prior to when tenants move into it.
How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework in the properties they lease out are safe. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To comply with these regulations, landlords must conduct annual gas inspections on all the gas appliances and flues that they install within the property. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate and it must be signed by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to look into having a boiler service carried out at the same time as the CP12 inspection, as it will help ensure that all the gas appliances are working correctly and safely. Landlords can usually get a combined CP12 and boiler service for a reasonable price from a qualified gas engineer who 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 heat exchanger and burner and conduct general maintenance.
The CP12 document is commonly referred to as the 'landlord gas safety certificate', but it is actually the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of safety inspections, and specifics about any issues or actions that should be addressed. Landlords are required to provide their tenants the CP12 document no later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is crucial that landlords or letting agents only permit Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises for safety checks and maintenance. It's a good idea to educate tenants on the necessity of allowing access, and explain that the gas engineer is there to protect them from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to permit access, the landlord or agent must state the legal requirements in writing. They should then visit the property and force entry if needed.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before entering the property. This will ensure that the engineer is qualified to work on your home's systems and therefore be trusted to conduct the safety inspection. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally permitted to disconnect faulty equipment and can shut off gas lines when necessary.