Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances chimneys, flues and chimneys are inspected annually. You should also provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer deems any device or installation to be immediately dangerous they will ask permission to shut off the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches are installed.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate issued by a landlord is an official document that proves that all gas appliances and flues within the rented property have been checked by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords must arrange a gas check for each rental property they own at least once per year. The inspection is conducted by an Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all pipework, appliances, and flues are in good working order and in compliance with safety regulations.
Landlords are also legally required to give their tenants copies of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) following each annual gas safety inspection and test. The document should be handed out to tenants within 28 days after the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their tenancy.
CP12 is how often gas safety certificate of the CORGI Proforma 12 which was employed by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) prior to being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form lists the date of the last gas inspection or test as well as the results of these, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, as well as the name of the engineer who carried out the test.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance and the engineer will give advice on what needs to be done to make it safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediate danger or Abnormally Lethal, the gas supply must be shut off until the issue is solved.
It is illegal to a tenant who refuses to allow the gas safety inspection to be conducted. A landlord may apply to the courts for an injunction order if necessary, however it is generally easier to simply send a strongly written letter stating the reasons why it is crucial that the checks are made and what they will involve. This should encourage a tenant who is reluctant to allow access to the house. If not the landlord has to initiate the eviction process.
How often should I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agencies are legally required to carry out an annual gas safety inspection 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 crucial responsibility for landlords, and they should ensure that they are completed by a certified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is an official document that proves that an inspection of the gas supply has been completed by a qualified engineer within the last 12 months. It is given to the landlord and should be given to the tenant as proof of the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a period 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 breaking the law and could be penalized by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be completed by landlords in time. They should also keep a copy in the event that tenants request it.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances, so that the engineers can easily access them for inspections every year. The engineer will classify the appliance as 'at-risk' and may suggest that tenants refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords should also make sure that they give tenants at least 24 hours notice prior to when they are allowed to enter the property to conduct Gas Safety checks. This allows tenants time to prepare and request permission, if required. If a tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer entry the landlord should inform them why it is necessary and what will happen if they don't comply. If the tenant still refuses, then the landlord should look into evicting them pursuant to section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if you don't own a Gas Safety Certificate?
In short, it's a landlord's legal duty to ensure that their home has an approved gas safety certificate before tenants move in. Failure to adhere to this law can result in a landlord being prosecuted or being fined a significant amount. The regulations require that landlords are required to provide copies of gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to perform an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will take note of any issues that could pose a risk for 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 an important document that every tenant should keep. It includes information about the gas installations of a rental property as well as information regarding when they last tested and when they expire. It will help tenants recognize issues with their appliances and installations and ensure that they know how contact a Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.
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. They must also provide a copy the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy starts. Landlords who fail to provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate can be prosecuted in accordance with the regulations and may be subject to unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms. They should also arrange for them to be tested each month. If gas safety certificate replacement isn't working, the landlord must make the necessary repairs. This is applicable to councils, private landlords, and housing associations and also 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 a valid gas safety certification. The ruling was in accordance with the law that states that landlords of assured shorthold leases must have a gas safety record for their property prior to the time tenants move into.
How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are legally responsible to make sure that the gas appliances, flues, and pipework in their properties are safe for tenants. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To ensure compliance with the regulations landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues that they install to tenants. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate and it must be completed by a licensed Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also think about performing a boiler inspection simultaneously with the CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Landlords are usually able to receive a combination CP12 and boiler service at an affordable cost from a professional gas engineer, who will be able to check the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for leaks and cracks as well as clean the heat exchanger and burner and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 document is commonly known as the 'landlord's gas safety certificate' however, it is officially referred to 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 resolved. Landlords must give their tenants a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
It is essential that landlords and letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and for maintenance. It is a good idea to inform tenants of the importance of allowing access and explaining that the gas engineer will ensure they are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant does not allow access, the landlord or agent must explain the legal obligations in writing. Then, they should visit the property and force entry if needed.
Tenants should always ask to see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to letting them in to prove that they're competent to work on your home's gas systems and are able to complete the gas safety check efficiently and effectively. It's important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally able to disconnect faulty equipment and can cut off gas lines in the event of a need.