Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances as well as chimneys and flues are regularly inspected. You must also give a copy of the report to your tenants.
If the engineer considers an appliance or installation as being immediately hazardous, they will ask permission to cut off the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches are installed.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A landlord gas safety certificate is a document that proves that all of the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been checked by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are legally required to 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 are in compliance with safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) at the time of every annual inspection and test for gas safety. The certificate should be provided to tenants within 28 days following the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their tenure.
CP12 is an abbreviation used for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was used by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form identifies the date of the last gas inspection or test and the results of these tests, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, and the name of the person who performed the test.
The engineer will give advice in the event that the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be fixed so that it is safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediate danger or Abnormally Lethal the gas supply will have to be turned off until the problem has been solved.
If a tenant refuses to allow access for the gas safety checks to be carried out the tenant is guilty of a criminal offence. A landlord can ask the courts for an injunction order in the event of need, but it is generally more efficient to send a clearly written letter that explains the reason why the checks are conducted and what they will involve. This should convince a tenant who is reluctant to allow access and, in the event that they do not, the landlord may be required to begin the eviction process.
How often should I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agencies are legally required to carry out an annual safety check on all gas appliances and flues that they provide to tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and that there aren't any leaks of gas in the property. Gas inspections are a vital responsibility for landlords, and they must ensure they are completed by a licensed 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 check within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord, and should be provided to the tenant to prove the safety of gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months and has to be renewed annually.
A landlord who does not provide the Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. 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 documentation in the event that a tenant asks for it.
It's also a good idea for landlords to put inspection hatches on all gas appliances, to allow engineers to easily access the hatches for annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be 'at risk' during an inspection the engineer will categorise it as such and may disconnect the boiler and suggest that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch has been installed.
The landlords should also ensure that they give tenants at least 24 hours notice prior to when they enter the property to carry out Gas Safety checks. This allows the tenants to prepare for the visit and grant 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 will happen if they don't comply. If the tenant still refuses the engineer entry, then the landlord must think about evicting them under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if you don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal obligation of landlords to ensure that their property is equipped with an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into. Failure to comply with this law could result in the landlord being charged or fined severely. The regulations also state that a landlord must provide an original copy of their gas safety certificate to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord to perform an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection, a Gas Safe registered engineer will be able to identify any issues that could be a threat to tenants. They will then issue an CP12 gas safety document, that is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
gas safe installation certificate is a crucial document that every tenant must keep. It contains information about the gas installations of the rental property and also details about when they were last tested and their expiry dates. It can help tenants spot any issues with their appliances or installations and ensure that they know how to reach an Gas Safe engineer to have them tested.
Landlords must provide an inspection report on gas safety to their tenants, both new and existing within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. They must also provide a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy begins. Landlords who do not provide a copy of the gas safety certificate may be prosecuted in accordance with the regulations and could face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
The same way landlords must make sure that carbon monoxide detectors are in operation in their homes and have them tested each month. The landlord is accountable for repairing any alarm that doesn't work. The rules around 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 send Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid gas Safety Certificate. The decision was based on a law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold leases to obtain a gas safety certificate for their property before tenants move in.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords have a legal responsibility to make sure that the gas appliances, flues, and pipework in their homes are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. To be in compliance with these regulations, landlords must organize annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues they provide for use in the building. This is known as a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, and it has to be signed by a licensed Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also consider performing a boiler inspection at the same time as the CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are working properly and safely. Landlords are usually able to receive a combination CP12 and boiler service for a reasonable price from a qualified gas engineer who can check the seals on boiler burners, inspect the flue system for leaks and cracks cleaning the burner and heat exchanger and conduct general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes known as "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it's actually known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of the safety tests, as well as specifics about any issues or actions that should be addressed. Landlords are required to give their tenants the CP12 document within 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is 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 on the importance of giving gas engineers access to the property. They should explain that the engineer is there to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to allow access, the landlord or agent must explain the legal obligations in writing. They should then visit the property and force entry if required.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before they are allowed to enter the property. This will ensure that the engineer is competent to work on your home's systems and can therefore be trusted to perform the safety inspection. You should also be aware that a gas engineer is able to legally shut off the malfunctioning equipment or cut off the gas supply in case of need.