Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances chimneys, flues and chimneys are regularly inspected. It is also your responsibility to give a copy of the report to your tenants.
If the engineer determines that an appliance or installation to be immediately dangerous they will ask permission to shut off the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches be installed.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that proves that all the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been checked by a licensed gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange an annual gas inspection for each rental property that they have at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry out the inspection and check that all pipework, appliances and flues comply with safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) at the time of each annual inspection and test for gas safety. The document should be handed out to tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their tenure.
CP12 is the abbreviation of 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 or test as well as the results, any issues or actions that need to be addressed, and the name of the person who conducted the test.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance, the engineer will advise on what should be done to make it safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediately dangerous or abnormally lethal, the gas supply will need to be disconnected until the issue is solved.
It is illegal for a tenant to refuse to allow 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 well written letter that explains the reasons why it is crucial that the checks are conducted and what they will involve. This should encourage the tenant who is hesitant to let access to the property. If not, the landlord will need to begin the eviction process.
How often should I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agents are required by law to conduct an annual gas safety check on all flues and gas appliances that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that the equipment is safe to use and that there are no gas leaks in the property. Gas inspections are a crucial responsibility for landlords, and they must ensure they are carried out by a certified 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 inspection in the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord, and should be presented to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months, and must be renewed every year.
A landlord who is unable to provide the Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. It is therefore vital for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out at a timely basis and keep a copy of the documentation in case a tenant needs it.
Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea as it allows engineers to gain access to the appliances for their annual inspections. The engineer will categorise the appliance as 'at-risk' and may suggest that tenants stop using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords are also required to provide their tenants with at least 24 hours' notice prior entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows the tenants to prepare for the visit and grant permission, if required. If a tenant is refusing the engineer's entry the landlord has to explain the reason why it is necessary and what would happen if the tenant refused. If the tenant continues to refuse the engineer entry, then the landlord must look into evicting them pursuant to section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
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 approved gas safety certificate before tenants move in. In the absence of this, it's an offence that can result in landlords being prosecuted and subject to severe fines. The regulations require that landlords must also provide copies of gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to conduct a gas check on all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will be able to identify any issues that could be a threat to tenants. The engineer will issue an CP12 Gas Safety Document, also known as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is a crucial document that every tenant should keep. It contains information on the gas appliances in a rental property as well as information on when they were last tested and their expiry dates. It can help tenants identify issues with their appliances or installations and make sure that they know how to contact the Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.
Landlords are required to provide their current and new tenants with a gas safety inspection report within 28 days of the engineer's visit to their property. They must also give a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy commences. Landlords who fail to provide a copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted under the rules and face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
In the same way, landlords must make sure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange that they be tested each month. If the alarm is not working, the landlord should make the necessary repairs. This is the case for councils, private landlords, and housing associations, and also licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017 the High Court ruled that it was unlawful for landlords to issue Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official Gas Safety Certificate. The decision was made based on the law that states that landlords of assured shorthold tenancies must have an approved gas safety certificate for their property before tenants move into the property.
How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that gas appliances, flues, and pipework within the properties they lease out are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 regulate this. In order to comply with these regulations, landlords must conduct annual gas inspections on all the gas appliances and flues they provide for use within the property. This is known as a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and must be signed by a licensed Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
It is also recommended for landlords to think about having the boiler service completed simultaneously with the CP12 inspection, as it will help ensure that all gas appliances are functioning correctly and safely. Gas engineers can provide a combined CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable cost. They will examine the seals on boiler burners as well as look for cracks and leaks in the flue system, clean the heat exchanger and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 document is often known as the 'landlord's gas safety certificate' however, it is officially referred to as the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of the safety checks, as well as specifics of any issues or actions that must be taken care of. Landlords are required to provide their tenants the CP12 document within 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is crucial that the landlord or letting agent only permit Gas Safe registered engineers to access the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It is crucial to educate tenants about the importance of allowing gas engineers access to their property and explain that the engineer's presence is necessary to safeguard them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If gas safety certificate near me is hesitant to let access in, it's the landlord or letting agent's duty to clarify the legal obligations in writing, and follow by visiting the property to compel entry if needed.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to allowing them to enter the property. This will confirm that the engineer has the necessary qualifications to work on the systems in your home and can therefore be trusted to perform the safety check. It's important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally able to cut off any defective equipment and cut off your gas supplies when necessary.