Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, chimneys and flues are inspected every year. The law also requires that you provide a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer believes that a particular appliance or installation is imminently dangerous, they will request permission to cut off gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is the definition of a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is an official document that certifies that all gas appliances and flues that are in the rental property have been inspected by an accredited gas engineer. Landlords must arrange a gas check for each rental property that they have at least once a year. The inspection is carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all pipes appliances, flues, and pipes are in good working condition and that they comply with the safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to give tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record), following each annual inspection and test for gas safety. The certificate should be given 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 the abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 that was employed by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form includes the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their 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 on the spot if the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will include what needs to be fixed in order to ensure it is safe to use. If an appliance is deemed to be immediate danger or Abnormally Lethal the gas supply must be turned off until the problem has been fixed.
If a tenant does not allow access for the gas safety checks to be completed, it is an offence that is criminal. 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 explains why the checks are vital and what is required. This should encourage a tenant who is reluctant to allow access to the property. If not, the landlord will need to start the eviction procedure.
How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
The landlords and letting agencies are required by law to carry out an annual gas safety check on all flues and gas appliances that they provide to tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe to use and that there aren't any gas leaks within the property. Gas inspections are a crucial obligation for landlords and they must ensure they are completed by a licensed 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 in the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and should also be given to the tenant to verify the safety of gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months and has to be renewed every year.
If a landlord is unable to provide their tenants with the Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be punished by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be performed by landlords on time. They should also keep a copy of the certificate in case tenants ask for it.
It is also an excellent idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances, so that the engineers can easily access them for annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be at risk during an inspection the engineer will declare it to be at risk and will shut off the boiler and suggest that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords must also provide their tenants with at least 24 hours' notice prior to 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 refuses to allow the engineer access the landlord should send a letter to them explaining why the engineer is required and what will happen if they don't follow through. If the tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord could consider evicting the tenant under section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if I don't receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
In short, it is the landlord's legal obligation to ensure that their property is equipped with a valid gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into. Failure to adhere to this law can result in the landlord being prosecuted or fined severely. 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 to conduct an inspection of the gas supply to 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. The engineer will then issue a CP12 Gas Safety Document, also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is a vital document that all tenants should take possession of and keep. This document provides information on gas installations in a rental home, including when they were tested as well as their expiration dates. It can assist tenants in identifying issues with their appliances and installations and ensure that they know how to contact a Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.
Landlords must provide an inspection report on gas safety to their tenants, current and new within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. The landlord must also give an original copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenure. Landlords who do not provide a copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted under the rules and may be subject to unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
The same way landlords must make sure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their homes and make arrangements for them to be tested each month. The landlord is responsible for fixing an alarm that does not work. This applies to private landlords, councils and housing associations and also licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017 In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was unlawful for landlords to send Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official gas Safety Certificate. The ruling was based on the law that requires landlords with assured shorthold tenancies to obtain a gas safety certificate for their property prior to when tenants move into it.
How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework in the properties they lease are safe. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To be in compliance with these regulations, landlords must organize annual gas inspections of all the gas appliances and flues they supply for use within the property. This is known as a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and it must be signed by a licensed Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
It is also recommended for landlords to think about having an annual boiler service performed in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, as this will ensure that all the gas appliances are working in a safe and efficient manner. Landlords can usually receive a combination CP12 and boiler service for an affordable cost from a professional gas engineer. They will be able to check the seals on boiler burners, inspect the flue system for leaks and cracks cleaning the heat exchanger and burner and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes called "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it is actually known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. cp12 certificate outlines the outcomes of all the safety checks and details of any actions or problems that require attention. Landlords must provide their tenants with a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
It is important that landlords and letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to 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 ensure they are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant does not permit access, the landlord or agent must state the legal requirements in writing. Then, they should visit the property and force entry if required.
Tenants should always be shown a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before entering the premises to ensure that they're competent to work on the gas systems in your home and are able to complete the gas safety inspection efficiently and efficiently. You should also be aware that a gas engineer is able to legally shut off defective equipment or shut off your gas supply if needed.