Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As an owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys are inspected annually. The law also requires that you provide a copy the check to your tenants.
If the engineer believes that any appliance or installation is immediate danger, they will request permission to shut off the supply of gas and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate issued by a landlord is an official document that proves that all gas appliances and flues in the property that is rented 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 out the inspection and check that all pipes, appliances and flues comply with safety standards.
The law also requires landlords to give tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) at the time of each annual inspection and test for gas safety. This should be provided to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the beginning of their tenure.
CP12 is the abbreviation used for the CORGI Proforma 12 that was used by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form shows the date of the last gas inspection and test and the results of these, any issues or actions that need to be addressed, and the name of the engineer who carried out the inspection.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas device, the engineer will advise on what must be done to ensure its safe use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediately dangerous or Abnormally Lethal, the gas supply must be disconnected until the issue is resolved.
If a tenant refuses to allow access for gas safety checks to be carried out, it is an infraction that is punishable by law. A landlord may apply to the courts for an injunction order if necessary, however it is generally more efficient to simply send a strongly written letter stating the reasons why it is crucial that the checks are conducted and what they'll involve. This can encourage a reluctant tenant to give access, and if not, the landlord might have to think about starting the process of eviction.
How often should I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
The landlords and letting agencies are required by law to conduct an annual gas safety check on all gas appliances and flues that they provide to tenants. This is done to ensure that the equipment is safe to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks in the property. Gas inspections are a vital responsibility for landlords, and they must ensure they are conducted by a certified 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. It is issued by the landlord, and should be presented to the tenant in order to demonstrate the safety of 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 the Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be fined by the local authority. It is therefore crucial for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out in a timely manner and to keep a copy of the certificate 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 annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be 'at risk' during an inspection the engineer will declare it to be at risk and may disconnect the boiler and suggest that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords must also ensure that they provide their tenants with a minimum of 24 hours notice prior to the time they enter the property to carry out Gas Safety checks. This allows tenants time to plan their inspection and request permission if needed. If a tenant does not permit the engineer to enter the landlord should write to them explaining why it is necessary and what happens if they don't follow through. If the tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer entry, the landlord can think about evicting the tenant in accordance with section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.
What is the consequence if I don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal obligation of landlords to ensure that their property is fitted with an official gas safety certificate that is valid before tenants move in. Infractions to this law could result in the landlord being prosecuted or fined severely. The regulations require that landlords must also furnish copies of gas safety records to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to conduct an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will identify any issues that could be a threat to tenants. The engineer will 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 crucial document that every tenant must keep. This document contains information about gas installations in a rental property as well as the date they were tested and their expiration dates. It can help tenants identify any issues with the installation or appliances and make sure that they know how to contact a Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords are required to provide their new and current tenants with a gas safety report within 28 days of the engineer's visit to their property. The landlord is also required to provide the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords who fail to provide a copy of the gas safety certificate may be prosecuted under the rules and may be subject to unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms. They should also arrange for them to be tested every month. If the alarm is not working, the landlord must repair it. This is applicable to councils, private landlords, and housing associations and also licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017 the High Court ruled that it was illegal for landlords to serve Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid Gas Safety Certificate. The decision was based upon a law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to have a gas safety certification for their property prior to the time tenants move into it.
How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are required by law to make sure that the gas appliances, flues, and pipework in their homes are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. To be in compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks of all gas appliances and flues they provide for use in a property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be signed by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It's also a good idea for landlords to look into having an annual boiler service performed in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, since this will ensure that all the gas appliances are working properly and safely. Gas engineers can offer an integrated CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable cost. They will inspect the boiler burner's seals, inspect for leaks and cracks in the flue system and clean the heat exchanger and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes known as "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it is actually known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of safety checks, as well as details of any problems or actions that need to be addressed. how much for landlords gas safety certificate MK Gas Safety must provide their tenants the CP12 document not later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is essential that landlords or letting agents only permit Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It's a good idea inform tenants of 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 explain the legal obligations in writing. They should then visit the property and force entry if needed.
Tenants should always ask to see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before they allow them into the home to prove that they're competent to work on your home's gas systems and are able to complete the gas safety test efficiently and efficiently. You should also be aware that a gas engineer is able to legally disconnect faulty equipment or cut off your gas supply should it be required.