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 that you provide a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer considers an appliance or installation to be immediately hazardous, they will ask permission to cut off the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches be installed.
What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is an official document that confirms that all gas appliances and flues in the rented property have been inspected by an accredited gas engineer. Landlords must arrange the gas check for each rental property that they have at least once a year. The inspection is performed by a Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all pipework appliances, flues, and pipes are in good working condition and in compliance with the safety regulations.
Landlords are also required by law to provide their tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) after each annual gas safety inspection and test. The certificate should be given to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the beginning 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 tests and the results of these tests, any actions or issues that need to be addressed, and the name of the engineer who carried out the check.
The engineer will offer advice in the event that the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will include the items that need to be fixed in order to ensure it is safe to use. If a device is deemed dangerous immediately or abnormally dangerous, the gas supply must be shut off until the issue is resolved.
It is a crime to a tenant who refuses to let the gas safety inspection to be carried out. If needed the landlord has the right to ask the courts for an order to prohibit the tenant from refusing to allow gas safety checks. However, it is usually easier to send a letter which clarifies why the checks are essential and what will be involved. This can convince a tenant who is reluctant to allow access and, in the event that they do otherwise, the landlord could need to consider starting the process of eviction.
How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
The law requires that landlords and let agents are required by law to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on the chimneys and gas appliances that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and there are no leaks of gas in the property. This is a crucial responsibility and landlords should ensure 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 affirms that an engineer has completed a gas check within the last 12 months. It is given to the landlord and must be given to the tenant as proof of the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months, and must be renewed every year.
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 punished by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be carried out by landlords on time. They should also keep a copy in case tenants ask for it.
It is also an excellent idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances to allow engineers to easily access them for annual inspections. The engineer will label the appliance as 'at-risk' and may suggest that the tenant refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords are also required to give their tenants at least 24 hours' notice prior entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This gives tenants time to prepare and ask permission if they need. If a tenant is unwilling to permit the engineer to enter the landlord should inform them the reason for the visit and what will happen in the event that they do not 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 happens if I don't get a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal responsibility of a landlord to ensure that their property is equipped with an official gas safety certificate that is valid prior to the time tenants move into. Failure to adhere to the law can lead to the landlord being prosecuted or fined severely. The regulations state that landlords must also provide copies of gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property of the landlord to conduct a gas inspection on all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will be able to identify any issues that may pose a risk for tenants. The engineer will then issue a CP12 Gas Safety Document, also known as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is a crucial piece of documentation that every tenant must be able to access and keep. It contains information on the gas installations of a rental property, as well as details regarding when they last tested and their expiry dates. It will help tenants recognize any issues with their appliances or installation and ensure they know how to contact a Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords must give a gas safety report to their tenants, both new and current, within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. The landlord is also required to provide an original copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenure. Landlords that fail to provide the the gas certificate can be prosecuted and could face unlimited fines or even six months in prison.
Similar to this, landlords should ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their properties and have them checked every month. If an alarm is not working, the landlord must make the necessary repairs. This is the case for private landlords, councils and housing associations and also licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.
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 made by reference to the law which stipulates that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must have an approved gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move into.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally responsible to make sure that the gas appliances, flues, and pipework in their properties are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. To be in compliance with these regulations, landlords must arrange annual gas checks on all the gas appliances and flues they install in the property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate and it must be signed by a licensed Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It's also a good idea for landlords to consider having a boiler service carried out in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, since this will help ensure that all gas appliances are working correctly and safely. Landlords are usually able to receive a combination CP12 and boiler service for a reasonable price from a qualified gas engineer. They can check the seals on boiler burners, inspect the flue system for cracks and leaks, clean the burner and heat exchanger and conduct general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes referred to by the term "landlord's gas safety certificate" but it actually is called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of all the safety checks and details of any actions or problems that need to be resolved. Landlords are required to provide their tenants the CP12 document within 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is important that landlords and letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and for maintenance. It is crucial to educate tenants on the importance of allowing gas engineers access to the property. They should explain that the engineer's presence is necessary to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant does not allow access the agent or landlord must explain the legal obligations in writing. Then, they should visit the property and force entry if necessary.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to they are allowed to enter the property. gas safety certificate duplicate will prove that the engineer is competent to work on your home's systems and therefore be trusted to conduct the safety inspection. Be aware that a gas engineer can legally remove faulty equipment or cut off the gas supply in case of need.