gas safety certificate what is checked 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 determines that any installation or appliance is imminently dangerous they will ask permission to shut off gas supply and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is the definition of a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate issued by a landlord is an official document that confirms that all gas appliances and flues within the property that is rented have been inspected by an accredited gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange the gas check for each rental property that they have at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and ensure that all pipes, appliances and flues conform with safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record), following every annual inspection and test for gas safety. The document should be handed out to tenants within 28 days following the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their tenure.
CP12 is an abbreviation for 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 includes the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, the results, any actions required to be taken, as well as the name and the title of the engineer that conducted the check.
The engineer will give advice in the event that the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will include what needs to be fixed so that it is safe for use. If a device is deemed dangerous immediately or abnormally dangerous the gas supply should be shut off until the issue has been resolved.
just click the next article is a crime for a tenant to refuse to let the gas safety check to be conducted. If necessary, a landlord can ask the courts for a court order to prohibit the tenant from preventing gas safety checks. However, it's usually easier to send a letter which explains why the checks are important and what's required. This should encourage a reluctant tenant to give access, and in the event that they do not, the landlord may need to consider starting the eviction process.
How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agents are legally required to carry out an annual gas safety inspection on all flues and gas appliances that they supply to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and that there aren't any gas leaks in the property. Gas inspections are a vital obligation for landlords and they must 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. It is given to the landlord and must be given to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months and must be renewed annually.
A landlord who does not provide an Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. It is therefore vital for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out on time and to keep a copy the documentation in case a tenant requests it.
Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea, because it lets engineers gain access to the appliances for annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be 'at risk' during an inspection the engineer will classify it as such and shut off the boiler and recommend that the tenant refrain from using it until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords should also make sure that they give tenants at least 24 hours notice before they visit the property to conduct Gas Safety checks. This will allow tenants to prepare for the visit and grant permission, if required. If a tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer access the landlord must write to them explaining why it is necessary and what happens if they don't follow through. If the tenant still refuses, then the landlord should consider evicting them using section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What is the consequence if I don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
In essence it's a landlord's legal duty to ensure their property has an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move in. Failure to do this is an offence that can result in landlords being punished with severe fines. The regulations state that landlords must also provide copies of gas safety records to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord to perform an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, a Gas Safe registered engineer will note any problems that could be a threat to tenants. They will then issue a CP12 gas safety certificate which is known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is an important document that every tenant must be able to access and keep. This document provides information on gas installations in rental properties and the dates they were tested as well as their expiration dates. It will help tenants recognize any issues with the appliances or installations and ensure they are aware of how to contact an Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords must give a gas safety report to their tenants, new and current, within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. They must also give a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy starts. Landlords that fail to provide the the gas certificate could be prosecuted and could face unlimited fines or six months in prison.
In the same way, landlords must make sure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms. They should also arrange that they be tested every month. The landlord is responsible for repairing an alarm that does not work. This is applicable to private landlords, councils and housing associations, as well as licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017 the High Court decided that it was unlawful for landlords to issue Section 21 notices if they did not provide their tenants with a valid gas safety certificate. The decision was based on a law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to have an official gas safety certificate for their property prior to when tenants move into it.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework within their properties are safe for tenants. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To be in compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to arrange annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues they install within the property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate. It must be signed by a licensed Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also think about conducting a boiler inspection in conjunction with the CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Landlords can usually receive a combination CP12 and boiler service for a reasonable price from a qualified gas engineer, who will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners. They will also inspect the flue system for cracks and leaks cleaning the burner and heat exchanger and conduct general maintenance.
The CP12 is often known as "landlord's gas safety certificate" but it is actually called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It outlines the outcomes of all the safety checks and details of any actions or issues that need to be resolved. Landlords are required to give tenants a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
It is crucial that the landlords or letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers to visit the property for safety checks and maintenance. It is a good idea to inform tenants of the importance of allowing access and explain that the gas engineer will ensure they are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant does not permit access the agent or landlord must outline the legal obligations in writing. They should then go to the property and force entry if required.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before they are allowed to enter the property. This will confirm that the engineer is qualified to work with the systems in your home and can therefore be trusted to perform the safety check. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally allowed to disconnect faulty equipment and can cut off gas lines in the event of a need.
