Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys undergo annual checks. The law also requires that you give a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer determines that any installation or appliance is immediately dangerous the engineer will request permission to disconnect the supply of gas and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is an official document that certifies that all gas appliances and flues in the rented property have been checked by an experienced gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange a gas check for each rental property that they own at least once per year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and ensure that all pipework, appliances and flues conform with safety standards.
Landlords are also legally required to provide their tenants with copies of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) following 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 start of their tenure.
CP12 is an abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 which was employed by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before it was replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form identifies the date of the last gas inspection and test as well as the results of these, any issues or actions that need to be addressed, as well as the name of the engineer who carried out the inspection.
The engineer will give advice on the spot if the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will include what needs to be addressed to make it safe to use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediately dangerous or abnormally lethal, the gas supply must be shut off until the issue is resolved.
If a tenant does not permit access to the gas safety checks to be carried out it is a criminal offence. A landlord can ask the courts for an injunction in the event of need, but it is usually much easier to send a clearly written letter that explains why it is essential that the checks are carried out and what they'll involve. This will encourage tenants who are hesitant 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?
Landlords and letting agents are required by law to carry out an annual safety check on all gas appliances and flues that are supplied to tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe to use and there are no gas leaks in the property. Gas inspections are a crucial obligation for landlords and they should ensure that they are conducted by a qualified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document which confirms that an engineer has completed a gas inspection within the last 12 months. homeowner gas safety certificate is issued by the landlord and must be provided to the tenant in order to demonstrate the safety of gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and needs to be renewed annually.
A landlord who does not provide an Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. 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 case a tenant needs it.
It's also a good idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances so that engineers can easily access the hatches for annual inspections. If how to get gas safety certificate is found to be in danger during an inspection the engineer will declare it to be at risk and shut off the boiler and recommend that the tenant refrain from using it until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords are also required to give tenants at least 24 hours' notice prior entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows the tenants to prepare for the visit and give permission, if required. If a tenant does not allow the engineer's entry the landlord must explain the reason for this and what happens in the event that the tenant refuses. If the tenant does not allow the engineer entry, the landlord could think about evicting the tenant in accordance with section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.
What is the consequence if you don't possess a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal responsibility of a landlord to make sure that their property is equipped with an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into. Failure to adhere to this law could result in the landlord being charged or fined heavily. The regulations also state that landlords must provide an electronic copy of the gas safety certificate to their tenants on request.
Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to perform an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will be able to identify any issues that may present a danger to tenants. They will then issue a CP12 gas safety certificate which is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is a vital document that every tenant must take possession of and keep. It contains information on the gas appliances in the rental property and also details regarding when they last tested and their expiry dates. It can assist tenants in identifying issues with their appliances or installations and ensure that they are aware of how to contact the Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.
Landlords are required to provide their new and current 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 a copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenure. Landlords that fail to provide the the gas certificate can be charged and face unlimited fines or six months in prison.
In the same way, landlords must make sure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms. They can also arrange that they be tested every month. The landlord is accountable for repairing any alarm that doesn't work. The rules governing this apply to private, council 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 send Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official Gas Safety Certificate. The decision was based upon a law that requires landlords with assured shorthold tenancies to obtain an official gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move in.
How do how to get gas safety certificate get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework in the homes they lease are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 regulate this. To comply with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues that they install to tenants. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and must be signed by a licensed Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should consider having a boiler inspection done simultaneously with an CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Gas engineers can offer a combined CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable price. They will inspect the boiler burner's seals as well as look for cracks and leaks in the flue system and clean the 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 lists the results of all the safety checks and the details of any actions or issues that require attention. Landlords are required to give their tenants the CP12 document within 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It's important 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 educate tenants on the necessity of allowing access, and explain that the gas engineer will ensure they are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant refuses to permit access the agent or landlord must outline 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 before they are allowed to enter the property. This will prove that the engineer has the necessary qualifications to work with your home's systems and therefore be trusted to conduct the safety check. Be aware that a gas engineer is able to legally disconnect faulty equipment or cut off your gas supply if needed.