Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances chimneys, flues and chimneys are inspected annually. The law also requires that you provide a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer determines that an device or installation to be immediately dangerous they will ask permission to shut off the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches be installed.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is an official document that confirms that all gas appliances and flues in the rental property have been inspected by a qualified gas engineer. The landlord must arrange for the gas check for each rental property that they own at least once per year. The inspection is conducted by a Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all pipes appliances, flues, and pipes are in good working condition and in compliance with safety standards.
Landlords are also legally required to give their tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) after each annual gas safety inspection and test. This should be provided to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the start of their tenure.
CP12 is an abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was used by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) prior to being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form contains the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their results, any steps required to be taken, as well as the name and title of the engineer that conducted the check.
The engineer will provide advice if the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be addressed in order to ensure it is safe to use. If a device is deemed dangerous immediately or abnormally lethal the gas supply should be shut off until the issue is fixed.
It is a crime for a tenant to refuse to let the gas safety test to be carried out. A landlord can apply to the courts for an injunction order if necessary, however it is usually much easier to send a clearly written letter that explains the reasons why it is crucial that the checks are carried out and what they will entail. This should encourage a tenant who is reluctant to allow access to the house. If not the landlord is not willing, he will have to start the eviction procedure.
How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agents are required by law to carry out an annual gas safety check on all flues and gas appliances that are supplied to tenants. This is done to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks in the property. Gas inspections are a vital obligation for landlords, and they must ensure they are conducted by a licensed engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is a legal document that confirms that the gas inspection was completed by a qualified engineer in the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord, and should be provided to the tenant in order to demonstrate the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months and must be renewed annually.
If a landlord does not provide their tenants with the Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be penalized by the local authority. It is therefore crucial for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out on time 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, as it allows engineers to 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 will shut off the boiler and recommend that tenants not to use it until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords must also ensure that they give their tenants a minimum of 24 hours notice before they enter the property to perform Gas Safety checks. This allows tenants to prepare and request permission, if required. If a tenant refuses to permit the engineer to enter, the landlord should inform them the reason for the visit and what happens if they don't follow through. If the tenant continues to refuse the engineer entry, then the landlord must consider evicting them using section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if I don't get a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal obligation of landlords to ensure that their property is equipped with an official gas safety certificate that is valid prior to the time tenants move into. Infractions to the law can lead to the landlord being prosecuted or being fined a significant amount. The regulations state 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 for an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will take note of any issues that could present a danger for tenants. They will issue an CP12 gas safety certificate, which is known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is a crucial document that every tenant must keep. This document provides information on gas installations in a rental property and the dates they were tested and their expiration dates. It can help tenants spot any issues with the appliances or installations and ensure that they know how to contact an Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords must give an inspection report on gas safety to their tenants, both new and existing, within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. They must also provide a copy the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy commences. Landlords that fail to provide the copy of the gas certificate may be prosecuted and face unlimited fines or even six months in prison.
In the same way landlords must ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are in operation in their properties and arrange for them being tested each month. If the alarm is not functioning, the landlord has to make the necessary repairs. This is the case for councils, private landlords, 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 an official gas safety certificate. The decision was based on a law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold leases to obtain a gas safety certificate for their property before tenants move in.
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 are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 deal with this. To ensure compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues that they install for use in a property. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and it must be completed by a qualified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also think about having a boiler inspection done in conjunction with the CP12 inspection. This will ensure that the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Gas engineers can provide the combination CP12 inspection and boiler service for a reasonable price. They will examine the seals on boiler burners, inspect for leaks and cracks in the flue system, clean the heat exchanger 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 all safety checks and details of any actions or issues that need to be resolved. Landlords must give their tenants a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
It is crucial that the landlord or letting agent only permit Gas Safe registered engineers to access the property to conduct safety checks and for maintenance. It's important to educate tenants about the importance of allowing gas engineers access to the property and explain that the engineer's presence is necessary to safeguard them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant does not allow access the agent or landlord must state the legal requirements in writing. They should then visit the property and force entry if required.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before allowing them to enter the property. This will ensure that the engineer is qualified to work with the systems in your home and can therefore be trusted to perform the safety inspection. Be aware that a gas engineer is able to legally remove faulty equipment or cut off your gas supply if needed.