Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, chimneys and flues are regularly inspected. The law also requires that you provide a copy the check to your tenants.
If the engineer believes that any appliance or installation is immediate danger the engineer will request permission to shut off gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is the definition of a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate issued by a landlord is an official document that certifies that all gas appliances and flues within the rental property have been checked by an experienced gas engineer. Landlords are legally required conduct a gas safety inspection once per year for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and verify that all pipework, appliances and flues conform with safety regulations.
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 should be provided to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the start of their tenure.
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 shows the date of the last gas inspection or test as well as the results of these tests, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, as well as the name of the person who conducted the test.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance the engineer will provide advice on what should be done to ensure its safe use. If a gas appliance is found to be Immediately Dangerous, or Abnormally dangerous, the gas supply must be disconnected until the problem has been resolved.
If a tenant is unwilling to permit access to the gas security checks to be conducted it is an infraction that is punishable by law. A landlord may apply to the courts for an injunction order should it be necessary, but it is usually much easier to simply send a well written letter stating why it is essential that the checks are made and what they will entail. This will make a tenant more hesitant to allow access and, in the event that they do not, the landlord may be required to begin the process of eviction.
How often should I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
The landlords and letting agencies are required by law to carry out an annual safety check on all gas appliances and flues that they supply to their tenants. This is done to ensure that the equipment is safe to use and that there are no gas leaks in the building. what is gas safety certificate are a vital obligation for landlords, and they should ensure that they are completed by a qualified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document that confirms that an engineer has completed a gas inspection in the last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord and must be provided to the tenant to prove the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months, and has to be renewed each year.
A landlord who fails to provide the Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. Gas Safety checks must be performed by landlords on time. They should also keep a copy of the certificate in case tenants ask for it.
Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea, because it lets engineers easily access the appliances for annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be in danger during an inspection, the engineer will formally classify it as such and will shut off the boiler and recommend that the tenant refrain from using it until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords must also give their tenants at least 24 hours' notice prior entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This will allow tenants to prepare for the visit and give permission, if required. If a tenant does not allow the engineer entry the landlord should write to them explaining why the engineer is required and what will happen if they don't follow through. If the tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord can decide to evict the tenant under section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if I don't get a Gas Safety Certificate?
In short, it's a landlord's legal duty to ensure that their home has a valid gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into the property. Failure to comply with the law can lead to a landlord being prosecuted or fined heavily. The regulations stipulate that landlords are required to provide copies of gas safety records to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property for a gas check on all gas appliances. During the inspection, the engineer will note any issues that may cause a threat for tenants. They will then 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. It includes information about the gas installations of the rental property, as well as details about when they were last tested and when they expire. It can help tenants identify any issues with their appliances or installations and ensure they know how to contact an Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords are required to provide their tenants, both new and existing, with a gas safety inspection report within 28 days of the engineer visiting their property. The landlord must also give the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords who do not provide a copy of the gas safety certificate may be prosecuted under the rules and may be subject to unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
The same way landlords must ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their homes and make arrangements for them to be tested every month. The landlord is accountable for repairing an alarm that does not work. The rules for 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 decided that it was unlawful for landlords to issue Section 21 notices if they did not provide their tenants with a valid gas safety certificate. The decision was based upon the law that requires landlords with assured shorthold tenancies to have an official gas safety certificate for their property before tenants move in.
How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally responsible for ensuring that gas appliances, flues and pipework within the properties they lease are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. To be in how long does a gas safety certificate last with the regulations, landlords are required to arrange annual gas checks on all the gas appliances and flues they provide for use within the property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate and it must be filled out by a licensed Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also think about conducting a boiler inspection simultaneously with the 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 professional gas engineer. They will be able to check the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for cracks and leaks, clean the burner and heat exchanger and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes known as "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it actually is called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It lists the results of all safety inspections and details of any actions or issues that require attention. 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 permit Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property for safety inspections and maintenance. It is crucial to educate tenants about the importance of permitting gas engineers access to the property. They should explain that the engineer's job is to safeguard them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant does not allow access, the landlord or agent must outline the legal obligations in writing. They should then visit the property and force entry if needed.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before entering the property. This will ensure that the engineer is qualified to work with your home's systems and can therefore be trusted to perform the safety inspection. It is also important to know that a gas engineer is able to legally disconnect defective equipment or shut off your gas supply if needed.