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 believes 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 (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate issued by a landlord is an official document that confirms that all gas appliances and flues within the rental property were inspected by an accredited gas engineer. Landlords are legally required arrange a gas safety check every year for each rental property they own. The inspection is conducted by an Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all of the pipework and appliances as well as flues are in good working condition and that they comply with safety standards.
Landlords are also legally required to provide tenants with an original copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) following each annual gas safety inspection and test. The certificate should be given to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the beginning of their tenancy.
CP12 is an abbreviation used for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was employed by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form lists the date of the last gas inspection and test as well as the results of these, any actions or issues that need to be addressed, as well as the name of the person who conducted the inspection.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas device the engineer will provide advice on what should 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 shut off until the issue is solved.
If a tenant refuses to allow access for gas safety checks to be carried out, it is an infraction that is punishable by law. If needed landlords can apply to the courts for an order to prohibit the tenant from preventing gas safety checks. However, it's often easier to send a letter which explains why the checks are important and what's required. This will convince a tenant who is reluctant to let access in, and in the event that they do not, the landlord might be required to begin the eviction process.
How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agencies are legally required to carry out an annual gas safety inspection on all gas appliances and flues that they supply to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and that there aren't gas leaks in the property. This is a vitally important obligation and landlords must ensure that they have their gas inspections completed by a licensed gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document which indicates that an engineer completed a gas inspection within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and must also be given to the tenant in order to demonstrate the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months, and must be renewed annually.
A landlord who does not provide the Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. It is therefore essential for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out on time and to keep a copy of the certificate in case a tenant needs it.
Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea as it allows engineers to gain access to the appliances for annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be in danger during an inspection the engineer will categorise it as such and may disconnect the boiler and advise that tenants not to use it until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords must also give their tenants at least 24 hours' notice before entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows tenants time to prepare and ask permission, if required. If gas safety certificate what is checked refuses to allow the engineer access, the landlord should inform them why the engineer is required and what will happen if they don't follow through. If the tenant does not allow the engineer entry, the landlord could consider evicting the tenant under section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.
What is the consequence if I don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
In essence it's a landlord's legal duty to ensure that their property is equipped with a valid gas safety certification prior to the time tenants move into the property. In the absence of this, it's an offense that could lead to landlords being charged and liable to heavy fines. gas safety certificate near me that landlords are required to provide copies of the gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord to conduct an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will be able to identify any issues that could pose a risk to tenants. The engineer will issue the CP12 Gas Safety Document, also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is a vital piece of documentation that every tenant should get a hold of and keep. This document contains information about gas installations in rental properties as well as the date they were tested as well as their expiration dates. It can assist tenants in identifying issues with their appliances or installations and make sure that they know how contact an Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.
Landlords are required to provide an inspection report on gas safety to their tenants, both new and current within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. The landlord must also provide a copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenure. check it out who fail to provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate may be prosecuted under the rules and face unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.
The same way landlords must make sure that carbon monoxide detectors are in operation in their properties and arrange for them being tested each month. If the alarm isn't working, the landlord must repair it. The rules for this apply to council, private and housing association landlords and also to licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In June 2017 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 an official gas safety certificate. The ruling was based on the law that stipulates that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must obtain a record of their gas safety for their property prior to when tenants move in.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework in the properties they lease out are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 regulate this. To be in compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues they provide for use in a property. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and it must be completed by a certified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
It is also recommended for landlords to consider having the boiler service completed simultaneously with the CP12 inspection, since this will ensure that all the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Landlords can usually receive a combination CP12 and boiler service for an affordable cost from a qualified gas engineer. They will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners. They will also inspect the flue system for leaks and cracks cleaning the heat exchanger and burner and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 document is commonly called the 'landlord's gas safety certificate' although it is officially called the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of the safety checks, as well as details of any problems or actions that should be taken care of. Landlords must provide their tenants with a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
It's important that the landlords or letting agents permit Gas Safe registered engineers to access the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It's a good idea inform tenants about the necessity of allowing access, and explaining that the gas engineer is there to help keep them safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If a tenant is hesitant to let access in it is the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility explain the legal responsibilities in writing and then follow up with a visit to the property to force entry if needed.
Tenants should always see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before they allow them into the home to prove that they're qualified to work on your home's gas systems and are able to complete the gas safety test efficiently and effectively. It is also important to know that a gas engineer can legally shut off the malfunctioning equipment or cut off your gas supply should it be required.