Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, flues and chimneys are inspected annually. It is also your responsibility to give a copy of the report to your tenants.
If the engineer considers that any appliance or installation is immediately dangerous, they will request permission to shut off gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate issued by a landlord is an official document that certifies that all gas appliances and flues in the rental property have been inspected by an accredited gas engineer. Landlords are legally required conduct a gas safety inspection annually for each rental property they own. The inspection is carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all pipework, appliances, and flues are in good working order and in compliance with safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record), following each annual inspection and test for gas safety. The certificate should be provided to tenants within 28 days after the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their tenure.
CP12 is the abbreviation 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 tests as well as the results of these, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, and the name of the person who performed the test.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas device the engineer will provide advice on what needs to be done to ensure its safe use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediately dangerous or Abnormally Lethal, the gas supply will have to be disconnected until the issue is fixed.
It is a crime for a tenant to refuse to let the gas safety inspection to be conducted. A landlord can apply to the courts for an injunction if necessary, however it is generally more efficient to simply send a strongly written letter stating why it is essential that the checks are made and what they will involve. This should entice a tenant who is reluctant to allow access to the house. If not, the landlord will need to initiate the eviction process.
How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agencies are legally required to conduct an annual safety check on all gas appliances and flues that they supply to tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and there are no gas leaks within the property. This is a vitally important responsibility and landlords should make sure that they have their gas inspections completed by a qualified gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is legal document that confirms that the gas inspection was performed by a licensed engineer within the last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord, and should be provided to the tenant as proof of the security of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and needs to be renewed annually.
A landlord who fails to provide the Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. It is therefore crucial for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out in a timely manner and 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 annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be at risk during an inspection, the engineer will formally classify it as such and will shut off the boiler and suggest that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch has been 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 provide permission if necessary. If a tenant refuses access to the engineer, the landlord must explain why this is necessary and what happens if the tenant refused. If the tenant does not allow the engineer entry, the landlord may decide to evict the tenant under section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if I don't get a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal obligation of a landlord to ensure that their property is fitted with an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into. Failure to adhere to the law can lead to the landlord being prosecuted or being fined a significant amount. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must provide a copy of the gas safety report to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to conduct an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, a Gas Safe registered engineer will be able to identify any issues that could pose a danger to tenants. They will issue a CP12 gas safety certificate, which is known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is a very important document that every tenant must keep. It contains information on the gas appliances in a rented property as well as information on when they were last checked and the expiry dates. It can help tenants identify any issues with the appliances or installations and make sure that they know how to reach a Gas Safe engineer to have them checked.
Landlords are required to provide their new and current tenants with a gas safety check report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. They must also provide a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy begins. Landlords who do not provide a copy of the gas safety certificate can be prosecuted under the rules and may be subject to unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.
Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange that they be tested every month. The landlord is responsible for repairing the problem if the alarm does not work. This applies to councils, private landlords, and housing associations, as well as licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017 the High Court ruled that it was illegal for landlords to issue Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official Gas Safety Certificate. The decision was based upon the law that requires landlords with assured shorthold leases to obtain an official gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move in.
How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that the gas appliances, flues, and pipework in their properties are safe for tenants. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. In order to comply with these regulations, landlords must organize annual gas inspections of all the gas appliances and flues they provide for use within the property. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate and it must be completed by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It is also recommended for landlords to look into having a boiler service carried out in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, since it will help ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Landlords can typically obtain a combined CP12 and boiler service for a reasonable price from a professional gas engineer, who can check the seals on boiler burners. They will also inspect the flue system for leaks and cracks, clean the heat exchanger and burner and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 is often known as "landlord's gas safety certificate" however it actually is called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It lists the results of all safety checks and the 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 or letting agents only permit Gas Safe registered engineers to visit the property to conduct safety checks and for maintenance. It is essential to inform tenants on the importance of allowing gas engineers access to the property and explain that the engineer's job is to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant does not allow access, the landlord or agent must explain the legal obligations in writing. They should then go to the property and force entry if required.
Tenants should always ask to see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before entering the premises to prove that they are properly qualified to work on the gas systems in your home and are able to complete the gas safety check efficiently and effectively. It's also worth bearing in mind that the gas engineer is legally able to cut off any defective equipment and can shut off your gas supplies in the event of a need.