Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, flues and chimneys undergo annual checks. The law also requires you provide a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer believes that any appliance or installation is imminently dangerous they will ask permission to disconnect gas supply 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 confirms that all gas appliances and flues in the property that is rented have been inspected by an experienced gas engineer. Landlords are legally required organize a gas safety check once per year for each rental property they own. The inspection is carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all pipes and appliances as well as flues are in good working order and 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), following every annual inspection and test for gas safety. The certificate should be provided to tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their lease.
CP12 is an abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was used 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 and test as well as the results, any issues or actions that need to be addressed, and the name of the engineer who carried out the test.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas device and the engineer will give advice on what needs to be done to make it safe for use. If an appliance is deemed to be Immediately Dangerous or Abnormally Lethal, the gas supply must be turned off until the problem has been resolved.
It is illegal for a tenant to refuse to allow the gas safety inspection to be carried out. 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 checks. However, it is usually easier to send a letter which explains why the checks are essential and what will be required. This can encourage a reluctant tenant to let access in, and in the event that they do not, the landlord may be required to begin the eviction process.
How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agencies are legally required to conduct an annual gas safety check on all flues and gas appliances that are supplied to tenants. gas safety certificate replacement 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 should ensure that they are conducted by a certified 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 in the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and must also be given to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and needs to be renewed each year.
If a landlord is unable to provide their tenants with the 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 certificate in the event that a tenant asks for it.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to put inspection hatches on all gas appliances so that engineers can easily access them for annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be in danger during an inspection, the engineer will formally classify it as such and shut off the boiler and advise that the tenant refrain from using it until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords must also give their tenants at least 24 hours' notice prior to entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This gives tenants time to prepare and request permission if needed. If a tenant does not allow entry to the engineer the landlord has to explain the reason for this and what happens in the event that the tenant refuses. If the tenant continues to refuse the engineer entry, then the landlord must think about evicting them under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if I don't receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal obligation of landlords to ensure that their property has an official gas safety certificate that is valid before tenants move into. Failure to adhere to this law can result in the landlord being charged or being fined a significant amount. The regulations state that landlords are required to provide copies of gas safety records to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord to conduct an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will take note of any issues that may pose a risk for tenants. They will issue an CP12 gas safety document, which is known as the 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, including when they were tested and expiration dates. It can help tenants identify issues with their appliances and installations and make sure they know how contact an Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.
Landlords are required to provide their tenants, both new and existing, with a gas safety report within 28 days of the engineer visiting their property. They must also give a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy commences. Landlords who do not provide a copy of the gas safety certificate may be prosecuted under the regulations and may be subject to unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms. They can also arrange that they be tested every month. If an alarm is not working, the landlord must fix it. This is the case for councils, private landlords, and housing associations as well as licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017 In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was unlawful for landlords to issue Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official gas Safety Certificate. The ruling was based on a law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to have a gas safety certification for their property before tenants move into it.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that the gas appliances, flues, and pipework in their homes are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 regulate this. To be in compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks of all gas appliances and flues that they install for use in the property. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate. It must be signed by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It's also a good idea for landlords to look into having an annual boiler service performed in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, since this will help ensure that all gas appliances are functioning correctly and safely. Gas engineers can offer the combination CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable price. They will inspect the seals of boiler burners as well as look for leaks and cracks in the flue system and clean the heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 is often known as "landlord's gas safety certificate" however it's actually called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of safety checks, as well as specifics of any issues or actions that should be taken care of. Landlords are required to give their tenants the CP12 document no later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is important that landlords and letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and for maintenance. It is essential to inform tenants about the importance of permitting gas engineers access to the property and explain that the engineer's presence is necessary to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is reluctant to let access in it is the landlord's or letting agent's duty to explain the legal responsibilities in writing, and follow with a visit to the property to compel entry if needed.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to allowing them to enter the property. This will confirm that the engineer is qualified to work on your home's systems and therefore be trusted to conduct the safety check. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally permitted to disconnect faulty equipment and cut off gas lines if necessary.