Landlord
Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler ServiceAs an owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys undergo annual checks. You should also provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer believes that a particular appliance or installation is immediate danger they will ask permission to shut off gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A landlord's gas safety certificate is an official document that confirms that all gas appliances and flues that are in the property that is rented have been checked by an experienced gas engineer. Landlords are legally required to arrange a gas safety check every year for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry out the inspection and check that all pipes, appliances and flues conform with safety regulations.
Landlords are also required by law to provide their tenants with copies of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) following each annual gas safety inspection and test. This must be given to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the beginning 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 lists the date of the last gas inspection and test, the results, any issues or actions that need to be addressed, and the name of the engineer who carried out the inspection.
The engineer will offer advice on the spot if the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will include what needs to be addressed so that it is safe for use. If an appliance is deemed to be immediate danger or Abnormally Lethal the gas supply will have to be disconnected until the issue is fixed.
It is illegal to a tenant who refuses to allow the gas safety inspection to be carried out. A landlord may apply to the courts for an injunction order if necessary, however it is generally more efficient to send a clearly written letter that explains the reasons why it is crucial that the checks are conducted and what they will involve. This should make a tenant more hesitant to allow access and, in the event that they do otherwise, the landlord could have to think about starting the eviction process.
How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agencies are legally required to conduct an annual gas safety check on all gas appliances and flues that they supply to tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe to use and that there aren't gas leaks within the property. Gas inspections are a crucial responsibility for landlords, and they must ensure that they are carried out by a qualified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document which indicates that an engineer completed a gas check within the last 12 months. It is given to the landlord, and should be provided to the tenant as proof of the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months, and must be renewed every year.
If a landlord is unable to provide their tenants with a
gas safety certificate check Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be penalized by the local authority. It is therefore crucial for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out on time and keep a copy of the certificate in the event that a tenant asks for it.
Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea, as it allows engineers to easily access the appliances for their annual inspections. The engineer will categorise the appliance as 'at-risk' and may suggest that tenants stop using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords are also required to give their tenants at least 24 hours' notice before entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This will allow tenants to prepare for the visit and provide permission if necessary. If a tenant does not permit the engineer to enter, the landlord should send a letter to them explaining the reason for the visit and what happens 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 have a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal responsibility of a
landlord gas safety certificate to ensure that their property is fitted with an official gas safety certificate that is valid before tenants move into. Failing to do so is an offence that can cause landlords to be prosecuted and subject to severe fines. The regulations state that landlords are required to provide copies of the gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord to conduct an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection, the engineer will note any issues that could present a danger for tenants. The engineer will then issue the CP12
homeowner gas safety certificate Safety Document, which is also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is a crucial document that every tenant should keep. The document contains information about gas installations in a rental home as well as the date they were tested as well as their expiration dates. It will help tenants recognize any issues with their appliances or installations and ensure that they know
how to get gas safety certificate to contact a Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords are required to provide their current and new tenants with a gas safety report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. The landlord is also required to provide an original copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenancy. Landlords who fail to provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate may be prosecuted under the rules and could face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange for them to be tested every month. The landlord is accountable for repairing any alarm that doesn't work. The rules governing this are applicable to private, council and housing association landlords, as well as to licensable houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was illegal for landlords to issue Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official Gas Safety Certificate. The decision was made based on the law that states that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must obtain an approved gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move in.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that gas appliances, flues, and pipework in the properties they lease are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 deal with this. To comply with the regulations landlords must conduct annual gas checks of all gas appliances and flues they supply for use in a property. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and it must be completed by a certified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also consider conducting a boiler inspection simultaneously with the CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are working properly and safely. Landlords are usually able to obtain a combined CP12 and boiler service for an affordable price from a professional gas engineer. They can 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.
