Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, chimneys and flues are regularly inspected. 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 immediately dangerous the engineer will request permission to cut off gas supply and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that proves that all of the gas appliances and flues have been checked by a certified gas engineer. The landlord must arrange for an annual gas inspection for each rental property they own at least once per year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry out the inspection and check that all pipework, appliances and flues are in compliance with safety regulations.
Landlords are also required by law to provide tenants with an original copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) after each annual gas safety inspection and test. The certificate should be provided to tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their tenancy.
CP12 is an abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was used by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form includes the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, the results, any steps that must be taken, and the name and the title of the engineer who performed the test.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance and the engineer will give advice on what must be done to ensure it is safe for use. If a device is deemed dangerous immediately or abnormally dangerous, the gas supply must be shut off until the issue is resolved.
If a tenant does not permit access to the gas security checks to be conducted the tenant is guilty of an offence that is criminal. If needed the landlord has the right to ask the courts for a court order to prohibit the tenant from refusing to allow gas safety inspections. However, it is more common to write a letter that describes why the check is essential and what will be required. This should encourage a reluctant tenant to let access in, and in the event that they do not, the landlord might have to think about starting the process of eviction.
How often should I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
The landlords and letting agencies are legally required to conduct an annual gas safety check on all flues and gas appliances that are supplied to their tenants. This is to ensure that the equipment is safe for them to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks in the property. Gas inspections are an essential responsibility for landlords, and they must ensure that they are carried out by a licensed engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document that indicates that an engineer completed a gas inspection within 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 must be renewed annually.
If a landlord is unable to provide their tenants with a Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be fined by the local authority. It is therefore crucial for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out in a timely manner and to keep a copy the documentation in case a tenant needs it.
Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea, because it lets engineers gain access to the appliances to conduct annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be in danger during an inspection, the engineer will formally classify it as such and will shut off the boiler and suggest that the tenant refrain from using it until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords should also make sure that they give their tenants a minimum of 24 hours notice prior to the time they visit the property to perform Gas Safety checks. This gives tenants time to prepare for the visit and give permission if needed. If a tenant is refusing entry to the engineer the landlord has to explain the reason for this and what happens should the tenant refuse. If the tenant continues to refuse, then the landlord should look into evicting them pursuant to section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What is the consequence if I don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
In short, it is the landlord's legal obligation to ensure that their property is equipped with an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into the property. Failure to adhere to the law can lead to a landlord being prosecuted or fined heavily. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must provide an original copy of their gas safety record to their tenants on request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property of the landlord in order to perform an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, the engineer will note any issues that could present a danger to tenants. They will then issue a CP12 gas safety certificate that is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is a very important document that every tenant must keep. It includes information about the gas appliances in the rental property as well as information regarding when they last checked and the expiry dates. It will help tenants recognize any issues with the installation or appliances and ensure they are aware of how to reach an Gas Safe engineer to have them tested.
Landlords must provide an inspection report on gas safety to their tenants, new and existing within 28 days of the date that the engineer has visited their property. The landlord must also give an original copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenancy. Landlords who fail in providing the the gas certificate can be prosecuted and face unlimited fines or even six months in prison.
Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms. They should also arrange for them to be tested each month. The landlord is responsible for repairing any alarm that doesn't work. The rules around 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. hop over to this site was based on a law that requires landlords with assured shorthold tenancies to obtain an official gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move into it.
How can I obtain 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. visit the next page (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 regulate this. To be in compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to arrange annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues that they install in the property. This is known as a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, and it has to be completed by a qualified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should consider having a boiler inspection done simultaneously with an CP12 inspection. This will ensure that the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Landlords can typically get a combined CP12 and boiler service at an affordable cost from a qualified gas engineer who will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners, inspect the flue system for cracks and leaks cleaning the heat exchanger and burner and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 document is commonly called the 'landlord's gas safety certificate', however, it is officially referred to as the Gas Safety Record documentation. It includes the results of the safety tests, as well as specifics of any issues or actions that need to be addressed. 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 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 to educate tenants on the importance of allowing access and explain that the gas engineer is there to ensure they are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is reluctant to let access in it is the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility clarify the legal obligations in writing. Then follow by visiting the property to force entry if necessary.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to allowing them to enter the property. gas certificates will confirm that the engineer is qualified to work with your home's systems and can therefore be trusted to carry out the safety check. You should also be aware that a gas technician can legally remove faulty equipment or cut off your gas supply if needed.