Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances chimneys, flues and chimneys are inspected every year. You should also provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer determines that a particular appliance or installation is immediate danger they will ask permission to disconnect gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that demonstrates that all of the gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a certified gas engineer. Landlords are legally obliged to organize a gas safety check every year for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry out the inspection and check that all pipes, appliances and flues are in compliance with safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to give tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record), following 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 lease.
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 identifies the date of the last gas inspection or test, the results of these tests, any issues or actions that need to be addressed, as well as the name of the person who conducted the test.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas appliance, the engineer will advise on what should be done to ensure its safe 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 solved.
It is a crime for a tenant to refuse to allow the gas safety test to be carried out. A landlord can ask the courts for an injunction order should it be necessary, but it is usually much easier to send a clearly worded letter explaining why it is essential that the checks are made and what they will involve. This will make a tenant more hesitant to give access, and in the event that they do otherwise, the landlord could have to think about starting the process of eviction.
How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agencies are legally required to carry out an annual safety check on all flues and gas appliances that they provide to 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 obligation and landlords must make sure that they get their gas inspections done by a certified gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document that indicates that an engineer completed a gas inspection within the last 12 months. It is given to the landlord and must be provided to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months, and must be renewed annually.
If a landlord is unable to provide their tenants with the 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 also keep a copy of the certificate in case tenants ask for it.
It is also an excellent idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances, so that the engineers can easily access the hatches for annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be at risk during an inspection the engineer will declare it to be at risk and will shut off the boiler and recommend that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords must also ensure that they give their tenants at least 24 hours notice before they are allowed to enter the property to perform Gas Safety checks. This allows tenants to prepare and ask permission if they need. If a tenant is unwilling to permit the engineer to enter the landlord must send a letter to them explaining why the engineer is required and what happens if they don't comply. If the tenant continues to refuse then the landlord should look into evicting them pursuant to section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What is the consequence if you don't possess a Gas Safety Certificate?
In short it's the landlord's legal responsibility to ensure that their property is equipped with an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into. Failure to adhere to this law can result in the landlord being prosecuted or being fined a significant amount. The regulations require that landlords must also provide copies of the gas safety records to their tenants upon 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 pose a danger to tenants. The engineer will then issue an CP12 Gas Safety Document, also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is an important document that every tenant must keep. The document contains information about gas installations in rental properties, including when they were tested and expiration dates. It can help tenants spot any issues with their appliances or installation and ensure that they know how to contact an Gas Safe engineer to have them checked.
Landlords are required to provide a gas safety report to their tenants, both current and new within 28 days of the date that the engineer has visited their property. The landlord must also provide a copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords who fail to provide the the gas certificate can be prosecuted and could face unlimited fines, or six months in prison.
Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms. They can also arrange that they be tested every month. The landlord is accountable for repairing an alarm that does not work. The rules for this are applicable to council, private and housing association landlords, as well as licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was unlawful for landlords to issue Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid gas Safety Certificate. The decision was based on the law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold leases to obtain an official gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move into it.
How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally responsible for ensuring that gas appliances, flues and pipework within the properties they lease are safe. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To comply with the regulations landlords are required to conduct annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues they provide for use in the property. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be signed by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also consider conducting a boiler inspection at the same time as the CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are working properly and safely. Landlords can usually receive a combination CP12 and boiler service at an affordable price from a qualified gas engineer, who will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners, inspect the flue system for leaks and cracks, clean the heat exchanger and burner and conduct general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes known as "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it actually is called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It lists the results of all the safety checks and details of any actions or issues that need to be resolved. 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 to conduct safety inspections and for maintenance. cp12 certificate is crucial to educate tenants on the importance of allowing gas engineers access to their property and explain that the engineer is there to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to let access in it is the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility explain the legal responsibilities in writing, and follow up with a visit to the property to compel entry if needed.
Tenants should always be shown a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to entering the premises to ensure that they're qualified to work on your home's gas systems and can be trusted to complete the gas safety test efficiently and efficiently. Be aware that a gas technician can legally shut off faulty equipment or cut off your gas supply if needed.