Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances as well as chimneys and flues are inspected every year. You must also give a copy of the report to your tenants.
If the engineer believes that any installation or appliance is immediate danger the engineer will request permission to shut off the supply of gas and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A landlord gas safety certificate is a document that proves that all the gas appliances and flues have been checked by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords must arrange the gas check for each rental property they own at least once per year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry out the inspection and check that all pipes, appliances and flues conform with safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to give tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) after every annual inspection and test for gas safety. The certificate should be provided to tenants within 28 days following the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their lease.
CP12 is an abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 which was used by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before it was replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form outlines the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their results, any actions that must be taken, as well as the name and the title of the engineer that conducted the test.
The engineer will give advice on the spot if the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be fixed in order to ensure it is safe to use. If a device is deemed Immediately Dangerous, or Abnormally lethal the gas supply needs to be turned off until the issue has been resolved.
It is illegal to a tenant who refuses to allow the gas safety check to be conducted. If necessary, a landlord can ask the courts for an order to stop the tenant from preventing gas safety inspections. However, it's usually easier to send a letter which clarifies why the checks are essential and what will be involved. This can make a tenant more hesitant to give access, and if otherwise, the landlord could have to think about starting the process of eviction.
How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
The law requires that landlords and agents for letting are required to conduct an annual safety check of the chimneys and gas appliances they offer to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and that there aren't leaks of gas in the property. Gas inspections are a crucial responsibility 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 check within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord, and should be presented 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 every year.
If a landlord does not provide their tenants with a Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be fined by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be completed by landlords in time. They should also keep a copy of the certificate in case tenants request it.
Installing inspection hatches in 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 'at risk' during an inspection, the engineer will formally categorise it as such and shut off the boiler and recommend that the tenant refrain from using it until the inspection hatch has been installed.
The landlords should also ensure that they give their tenants a minimum of 24 hours notice before they are allowed to enter the property to perform Gas Safety checks. This allows tenants time to prepare and ask permission if needed. If a tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry the landlord must send a letter to them explaining why it is necessary and what will happen in the event that they do not comply. If the tenant still refuses then the landlord should look into evicting them pursuant to section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What is the consequence if you don't possess a Gas Safety Certificate?
In essence, it's a landlord's legal duty to ensure that their property is equipped with an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move in. Failure to comply with the law can lead to the landlord being prosecuted or being fined a significant amount. The regulations require that landlords must also furnish copies of the 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, a Gas Safe registered engineer will be able to identify any issues that could be a threat to tenants. They will then issue the CP12 gas safety certificate, that is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is a vital piece of documentation that all tenants should be able to access and keep. It contains information about the gas installations in a rental property, as well as details on when they were last checked and the expiry dates. It can assist tenants in identifying issues with their appliances or installations and make sure they know how to contact the Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.
Landlords are required to provide a gas safety report to their tenants, both new and current, 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 begins. Landlords who fail in providing the copy of the gas certificate could be charged and face unlimited fines or six months in prison.
In the same way, landlords must make sure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms. They should also arrange for them to be tested each month. If the alarm isn't working, the landlord must fix it. The rules for this apply to council, private and housing association landlords, as well as 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 a valid gas safety certificate. The decision was based on a law that requires landlords with 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 (GSC)?
Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that the gas appliances, flues and pipework in their homes are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 deal with this. To ensure compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks of all gas appliances and flues that they install for use in 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.
Landlords should also think about performing a boiler inspection in conjunction with an CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Landlords can usually receive a combination CP12 and boiler service at an affordable cost from a qualified gas engineer. They will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for cracks and leaks cleaning the burner and heat exchanger and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes known as "landlord's gas safety certificate" but it's actually known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It outlines the outcomes of all safety inspections and details of any actions or issues that need to be addressed. 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 a good idea to educate tenants on 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 allow access, it's the landlord or letting agent's responsibility clarify the legal obligations in writing, and follow up with a visit to the property to force entry if needed.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before allowing them to enter the property. This will prove that the engineer is competent to work with your home's systems and can therefore be trusted to conduct the safety check. It's important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally permitted to disconnect faulty equipment and can cut off your gas supply in the event of a need.