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 considers that any installation or appliance is immediately dangerous the engineer will request permission to cut off the supply of gas 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 the gas appliances and flues have been checked by a certified gas engineer. Landlords are legally required to conduct a gas safety inspection every year for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and ensure that all pipework, appliances and flues are in compliance with safety standards.
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. This must be given to tenants in the 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the beginning of their lease.
CP12 is an abbreviation used for 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, the results of these, any issues or actions that need to be addressed, as well as the name of the person who conducted the test.
The engineer will offer advice on the spot if the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be addressed so that it is safe for use. If an appliance is deemed to be immediately dangerous or abnormally lethal, the gas supply will have to be disconnected until the issue is fixed.
It is illegal for a tenant to refuse to allow the gas safety test to be carried out. A landlord may apply to the courts for an injunction order should it be necessary, but it is generally easier to send a clearly written letter that explains the reason why the checks are conducted and what they will involve. This can make a tenant more hesitant to give access, and in the event that they do otherwise, the landlord could be required to begin the process of eviction.
How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agents are legally required to carry out an annual gas safety check on all flues and gas appliances that they supply to their tenants. simply click the following website page is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and there are no leaks of gas in the property. This is a vitally important responsibility and landlords should be sure to are inspected for gas by a certified gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is a legal document that confirms that an inspection of the gas supply has been conducted by a qualified engineer in the last 12 months. It is given to the landlord and must be provided to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months, and has to be renewed annually.
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 carried out by landlords on time. They must also keep a copy in case tenants request it.
Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea because it lets engineers gain access to the appliances for annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be in danger during an inspection the engineer will categorise it as such and shut off the boiler and suggest that tenants not to use it until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords should also make sure that they provide their tenants with a minimum of 24 hours notice prior to the time they visit the property to conduct Gas Safety checks. This allows tenants time to prepare and ask permission if they need. If a tenant refuses access to the engineer the landlord must explain the reason why it is necessary and what will happen if the tenant refused. 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 obligation of a landlord to ensure that their property has an official gas safety certificate that is valid prior to the time tenants move in. Failing to do so is an offence that can lead to landlords being charged and liable to heavy fines. The regulations also stipulate that a landlord must provide an electronic copy of the gas safety report to their tenants on 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 the engineer will take note of any issues that may pose a risk for tenants. The engineer will then issue the CP12 Gas Safety Document, also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is a very important document that every tenant should keep. It includes information about the gas appliances in a rented property as well as information regarding when they last checked and the expiry dates. It can help tenants identify issues with their appliances or installations and make sure that they know how to contact a Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.
Landlords are required to provide their current and new tenants with a gas safety report within 28 days of the engineer's visit to their property. They must also provide a copy the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy starts. Landlords who do not provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate may be prosecuted under the regulations and could face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
The same way, landlords should ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are in operation in their properties and have them tested every month. The landlord is responsible for repairing the problem if the alarm does not work. This is applicable to councils, private landlords, and housing associations, as well as licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was unlawful for landlords to serve Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official gas Safety Certificate. The decision was based on the law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to have a gas safety certification for their property prior to when tenants move in.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that gas appliances, flues and pipework within the properties they rent out are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 deal with this. To comply with the regulations, landlords are required to arrange annual gas checks on all the gas appliances and flues that they supply for use in the building. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be signed by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It is also an excellent idea for landlords to consider having a boiler service carried out in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, as this will help ensure that all gas appliances are functioning correctly and safely. Landlords can typically get a combined CP12 and boiler service for an affordable cost from a qualified gas engineer. They will be able to check the seals on boiler burners. They will also inspect the flue system for cracks and leaks as well as clean the heat exchanger and burner and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes called "landlord's gas safety certificate" but it actually is known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It lists the results 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 essential that the landlords or letting agents permit 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 the property. They should explain that the engineer's presence is necessary to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If a tenant is hesitant to let access in it's the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility explain the legal responsibilities in writing and then follow up with a visit to the property to compel entry if needed.
Tenants should always ask to have a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to they allow them into the home to prove that they're competent to work on your home's gas systems and are able to complete the gas safety inspection efficiently and efficiently. It's also worth bearing in mind that the gas engineer is legally able to disconnect faulty equipment and cut off gas lines in the event of a need.