Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

As a landlord it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances as well as chimneys and flues are inspected every year. The law also requires you provide a copy of the check to your tenants.

If the engineer considers that a particular appliance or installation is immediate danger, they will request permission to cut off gas supply and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.

What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

A landlord gas safety certificates gas safety certificate is a document that proves that all the gas appliances in the rental property and flues have been checked by a qualified gas engineer. The landlord must arrange for a gas check for each rental property they own at least once per year. The inspection is carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all pipes, appliances, and flues are in good working order and that they are in compliance with safety regulations.

The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) after each annual inspection and test for gas safety. This should be provided to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the beginning of their tenure.

CP12 is an abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 which was employed by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form outlines the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, the results, any steps that need to be taken, as well as the name and title of the engineer that conducted the inspection.

If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas appliance and the engineer will give advice on what should be done to make it safe for use. If an appliance is deemed immediately dangerous or abnormally dangerous the gas supply should be disconnected until the problem has been resolved.

It is a crime for a tenant to refuse to let the gas safety test to be conducted. If necessary landlords can apply to the courts for a court order to prohibit the tenant from refusing to allow gas safety checks. However, it is usually easier to write a letter that explains why the checks are vital and what is required. This should encourage a tenant who is reluctant to let access to the property. If not the landlord is not willing, he will have to begin the eviction process.

How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?

In the law, landlords and let agents are required by law to conduct an annual gas safety inspection of all chimneys and gas appliances they offer to their tenants. This is to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and that there are no gas leaks within the property. Gas inspections are a crucial obligation for landlords and they must ensure they are conducted by a licensed engineer.

The gas safety certificate cp12 Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document that indicates that an engineer completed a gas inspection within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and must be presented to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months, and must be renewed annually.

If a landlord fails to provide their tenants with an Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be penalized by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be carried out by landlords on time. They must also keep a copy in case tenants ask for it.

Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea, since it allows engineers to easily access the appliances to conduct annual inspections. The engineer will label the appliance as 'at-risk' and may recommend that the tenant refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.

Landlords should also make sure that they give their tenants at least 24 hours notice prior to when they visit the property to perform Gas Safety checks. This gives tenants time to plan their inspection and request permission if needed. If a tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer entry, the landlord should write to them explaining the reason for the visit and what will happen in the event that they do i need a gas safety certificate not comply. If the tenant continues to refuse, then the landlord should think about evicting them under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.

What happens if you don't own a Gas Safety Certificate?

It is the legal responsibility of a landlord 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 punished with severe fines. The regulations state that landlords must also provide 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 an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will note any problems that could pose a danger to tenants. They will issue an CP12 gas safety certificate which is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.

This is an important document that all tenants should take possession of and keep. It includes information about the gas installations in a rental property, as well as details on when they were last checked and the expiry dates. It can help tenants identify problems with 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 give a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy begins. Landlords who fail to provide a copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted under the rules and could face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.

Similar to this landlords must make sure that carbon monoxide detectors work in their homes and arrange for them being checked every month. If an alarm is not working, the landlord should repair it. This applies to 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 by reference to the law which states that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must obtain an approved gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move into the property.

How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that the gas appliances, flues, and pipework in their properties are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. To ensure compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks of all gas appliances and flues they provide for use in the property. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate. It must be completed by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.

Landlords should also think about performing a boiler inspection at the same time as a CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Landlords can typically obtain a combined CP12 and boiler service for an affordable price from a qualified gas engineer, who will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners. They will also inspect the flue system for leaks and cracks, clean the heat exchanger and burner and carry out general maintenance.

The CP12 document is often referred to as the 'landlord gas safety certificate' however, it is officially referred to as the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of safety inspections, and specifics of any issues or actions that should be taken care of. 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 and letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It's important to educate tenants about the importance of permitting gas engineers access to the property. They should explain that the engineer's job is to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant refuses to permit access, the landlord or agent must state the legal requirements in writing. They should then go to the property and force entry if required.

Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before allowing them to enter the property. This will confirm that the engineer is competent to work with your home's systems and can therefore be trusted to perform the safety check. It's also worth bearing in mind that the gas engineer is legally able to cut off any defective equipment and cut off your gas supply in the event of a need.