Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, flues and chimneys undergo annual inspections. You should also provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer believes that any appliance or installation is imminently dangerous the engineer will request permission to shut off gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is the definition of a Gas Safety Certificate?
A landlord's gas safety certificate is an official document that certifies that all gas appliances and flues within the rental property have been checked by an accredited gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange the gas check for each rental property they have at least once a year. The inspection is conducted by a Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all pipework, appliances, and flues are in good working condition and that they are in compliance with safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) after every annual inspection and test for gas safety. This should be given to tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their tenancy.
CP12 is the abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 that was employed by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form outlines the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, the results, any actions that need to be taken, and the name and the title of the engineer who performed the check.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance, the engineer will advise on what needs to be done to ensure its safe use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediate danger or abnormally lethal, the gas supply will have to be shut off until the issue is resolved.
If a tenant refuses to permit access to the gas safety checks to be completed, it is an offence that is criminal. If needed landlords can apply to the courts for a court order to enjoin the tenant from preventing the gas safety inspections. However, it is more common to write a letter that clarifies why the checks are essential and what will be involved. This should encourage a reluctant tenant to give access, and in the event that they do not, the landlord may need to consider starting the eviction process.
How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
The landlords and letting agencies are legally required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on all gas appliances and flues that they provide to tenants. This is to ensure that the equipment is safe to use and that there are no gas leaks in the building. Gas inspections are a crucial obligation for landlords and they should 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 confirms that an engineer has completed a gas inspection 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 12 months, and has to be renewed every year.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants with an Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be penalized by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be performed by landlords on time. They must keep a copy in case tenants request it.
Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea since it allows engineers to gain access to the appliances for their annual inspections. The engineer will categorise the appliance as 'at-risk' and may recommend that tenants refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords are also required to give their tenants at least 24 hours' notice prior entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows tenants to plan their inspection and request permission, if required. If a tenant is refusing entry to the engineer the landlord must explain the reason why it is necessary and what would happen in the event that the tenant refuses. If boiler service and gas safety certificate refuses, then the landlord should think about evicting them under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What is the consequence if you don't possess a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal responsibility of a landlord to make sure that their property has an official gas safety certificate that is valid before 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 furnish copies of the gas safety records to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord to conduct a gas inspection on all gas appliances. During the inspection, a Gas Safe registered engineer will note any problems that could be a threat to tenants. The engineer will issue an CP12 Gas Safety Document, also known as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is a very important document that every tenant must keep. It contains information on the gas installations of a rented property as well as information on when they were last tested and their expiry dates. It will help tenants recognize any issues with their appliances or installation and ensure they know how to contact an Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords are required to provide their current and new tenants with a gas safety inspection report within 28 days of the engineer visiting their property. The landlord must also give an original copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords who fail to provide the the gas certificate can be prosecuted and could face unlimited fines or even six months in prison.
The same way landlords must make sure that carbon monoxide detectors are in operation in their properties and make arrangements for them to be tested every month. If an alarm is not functioning, the landlord has to repair it. The rules for this are applicable to council, private, and housing association landlords as well as to licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In June 2017 In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was unlawful for landlords to serve Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid gas Safety Certificate. The ruling was based on the law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold leases to obtain an official gas safety certificate for their property before tenants move into it.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that gas appliances, flues, and pipework in their homes are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. To comply with these regulations, landlords must conduct annual gas inspections on all gas appliances and flues they install within 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.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to consider having a boiler service carried out simultaneously with the CP12 inspection, as this will help ensure that all gas appliances are working in a safe and efficient manner. Gas engineers can provide a combined CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable price. They will inspect the boiler burner's seals as well as look for leaks and cracks in the flue system and clean the heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 document is often known as the 'landlord's gas safety certificate' but it is actually the Gas Safety Record documentation. It outlines the outcomes of all safety inspections and the details of any actions or problems that need to be addressed. 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 landlords or letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers to access the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It is crucial to educate tenants on the importance of giving gas engineers access to their property and explain that the engineer's job is to protect them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to allow access, it's the landlord or letting agent's responsibility clarify the legal obligations in writing. Then follow with a visit to the property to force entry if needed.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to they are allowed to enter the property. This will ensure that the engineer is competent to work on your home's systems and can therefore be trusted to perform the safety inspection. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally allowed to shut off any malfunctioning equipment and can cut off gas lines if necessary.