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 you provide a copy the check to your tenants.
If the engineer deems any appliance or installation as being immediately dangerous they will ask permission to shut off the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches are installed.
What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A landlord's gas safety certificate is an official document that certifies that all gas appliances and flues in the rental property have been checked by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords must arrange a gas check for each rental property they own at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and ensure that all pipes, appliances and flues conform with safety standards.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) after each annual inspection and test for gas safety. This must be given to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the start of their tenancy.
CP12 is the abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 that was employed by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form contains the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, the results, any steps required to be taken, and the name and name of the engineer that 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 make it safe for use. If an appliance is deemed to be immediate danger or Abnormally Lethal, the gas supply will need to be shut off until the issue has been solved.
If a tenant is unwilling to allow access for gas security checks to be conducted the tenant is guilty of an infraction that is punishable by law. If necessary the landlord has the right to ask the courts for a court order to prohibit the tenant from preventing gas safety inspections. However, it is usually easier to write a letter that clarifies why the checks are essential and what will be required. This can encourage a reluctant tenant to give access, and if not, the landlord may have to think about starting the process of eviction.
How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
The landlords and letting agencies are legally required to carry out an annual gas safety check on all gas appliances and flues that are supplied to their tenants. This is done to ensure that the equipment is safe to use and that there are no gas leaks in the property. This is a crucial responsibility for landlords and they should be sure to get their gas inspections done by a licensed gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document which affirms that an engineer has completed a gas check within the last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord and should be handed over to the tenant as proof of the security 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 breaking the law and could be penalized by the local authority. More Material is therefore vital for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out in a timely manner and to keep a copy of the documents in case a tenant requests it.
Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea because it lets engineers quickly access the appliances for their annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be in danger during an inspection the engineer will classify it as such and will shut off the boiler and advise that the tenant refrain from using it until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords must also ensure that they give tenants a minimum of 24 hours notice prior to when they are allowed to enter the property to carry out Gas Safety checks. This allows the tenants to prepare for the visit and provide permission if needed. If a tenant refuses access to the engineer the landlord must explain why this is necessary and what will happen should the tenant refuse. If the tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer entry, the landlord can decide to evict the tenant under section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if you don't own a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal responsibility of a landlord to make sure that their property is equipped with an official gas safety certificate that is valid prior to the time tenants move in. Failure to do this is an offence that can lead to landlords being prosecuted and subject to severe fines. The regulations also state that a landlord must provide an original copy of their gas safety record to their tenants on request.
Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to conduct an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection, a Gas Safe registered engineer will identify any issues that could pose a danger to tenants. The engineer will then issue the CP12 Gas Safety Document, which is also referred to as a 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 a rental property as well as information about when they were last tested and their expiry dates. It can help tenants spot any issues with their appliances or installations and ensure that they are aware of how to reach an Gas Safe engineer to have them tested.
Landlords must provide an inspection report on gas safety to their tenants, both current and new within 28 days of the date that the engineer has visited their property. The landlord is also required to provide the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenure. view site… who fail in providing the the gas certificate may be charged and face unlimited fines, or six months in prison.
Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms. They should also arrange for them to be tested every month. The landlord is responsible for fixing the problem if the alarm does not work. The rules governing this apply 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 illegal 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 states that landlords with assured shorthold leases must have an approved gas safety certificate for their property prior to when tenants move into the property.
How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that gas appliances, flues, and pipework within the properties they lease out are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. To ensure compliance with the regulations landlords are required to conduct annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues they provide to tenants. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate. It must be completed by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It is also a good idea for landlords to think about having the boiler service completed at the same time as the CP12 inspection, since this will ensure that all gas appliances are working in a safe and efficient manner. Gas engineers can provide the combination CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable price. They will check the seals on boiler burners, inspect for cracks and leaks in the flue system and clean the heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 is often called "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it's actually known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It includes the results of the safety tests, as well as specifics about any issues or actions that must be addressed. Landlords must provide their tenants a CP12 document not later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is important that landlords and letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It is a good idea to educate tenants on the necessity of allowing access, and explaining that the gas engineer is there to ensure they are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant does not allow access, the landlord or agent must state the legal requirements in writing. They should then go to the property and force entry if required.
Tenants should always ask to have a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before letting them in to prove that they are properly qualified to work on your home's gas systems and can be trusted to complete the gas safety test efficiently and effectively. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally permitted to shut off any malfunctioning equipment and can cut off your gas supply if necessary.