Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As an owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, flues and chimneys are inspected annually. The law also requires that you provide a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer considers that a particular appliance or installation is imminently dangerous they will ask permission to cut off gas supply and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A landlord gas safety certificate is a document which demonstrates that all the gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a certified gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange a gas check for each rental property they have at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and ensure that all pipes, appliances and flues comply with safety standards.
Landlords are also legally required to give their tenants an original copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) after each annual gas safety inspection and test. The certificate should be given to tenants in the 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the start of their tenancy.
CP12 is the abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 that was used by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form identifies the date of the last gas inspection and test as well as the results of these tests, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, and the name of the engineer who carried out the test.
The engineer will provide advice in the event that the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will include what needs to be addressed to make it safe to use. If a device is deemed Immediately Dangerous, or Abnormally lethal the gas supply should be shut off until the issue is resolved.
If a tenant refuses to permit access to the gas safety checks to be completed it is an infraction that is punishable by law. If necessary the landlord has the right to ask the courts for a court order to enjoin the tenant from refusing to allow gas safety inspections. However, it's more common to send a letter that explains why the checks are important and what's involved. This should make a tenant more hesitant to allow access and, in the event that they do not, the landlord might be required to begin the eviction process.
How often should I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
In the law, landlords and agents for letting are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection of all gas appliances and chimneys that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe to use and that there aren't gas leaks in the property. This is a crucial obligation and landlords must ensure that they have their gas inspections completed by a certified gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is a legal document that confirms that a gas inspection has been performed by a licensed engineer in the last 12 months. It is given to the landlord, and should be given to the tenant as proof of the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months, and has to 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 completed by landlords in time. They should also keep a copy of the certificate in case tenants request it.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to install inspection hatches on all gas appliances, so that the engineers can easily access the hatches for annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be in danger during an inspection, the engineer will formally declare it to be at risk and will shut off the boiler and recommend that tenants not to use it until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords are also required to provide their tenants with at least 24 hours' notice before entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This gives tenants time to prepare for the visit and grant permission if needed. If a tenant refuses access to the engineer the landlord must explain the reason why it is necessary and what would happen in the event that the tenant refuses. If the tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer entry, the landlord may consider evicting the tenant under section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if I don't receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal responsibility of a landlord to ensure that their property has an official gas safety certificate that is valid before tenants move in. Failure to comply with this law could result in the landlord being prosecuted or fined heavily. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must provide an original copy of their gas safety report to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property of the landlord to perform an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection, the engineer will note any issues that could present a danger to tenants. The engineer will then issue a CP12 Gas Safety Document, also known as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is an important document that all tenants should get a hold of and keep. This document provides information on gas installations in a rental property and the dates they were tested and their expiration dates. It will help tenants recognize any issues with their appliances or installation and ensure they are aware of how to contact an Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords must give the gas safety report to their tenants, both new and existing within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. They must also provide a copy the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy begins. Landlords that fail to provide the the gas certificate could be charged and face unlimited fines or even six months in prison.
Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange for them to be tested each month. The landlord is responsible for repairing an alarm that does not work. This is applicable to councils, private landlords, and housing associations, as well as licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017 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 in accordance with the law that stipulates that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must have a record of their gas safety for their property prior to the time tenants move into the property.
How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are legally responsible for ensuring that gas appliances, flues, and pipework in the properties they rent out are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 deal with this. To ensure compliance with the regulations landlords must conduct annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues they supply for use in a property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate and it must be completed by a licensed Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also think about having a boiler inspection done simultaneously with an CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Landlords can typically get a combined CP12 and boiler service for an affordable cost from a professional gas engineer, who can check the seals on boiler burners, inspect the flue system for cracks and leaks cleaning the burner and heat exchanger and conduct general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes referred to by the term "landlord's gas safety certificate" but it is actually known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It includes the results of the safety tests, as well as specifics of any issues or actions that should be addressed. Landlords must provide their tenants the CP12 document within 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It's important that the landlords or letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers to access the property to conduct safety checks and for maintenance. It is essential to inform tenants about the importance of allowing gas engineers access to the property and explain that the engineer's job is to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If a tenant is hesitant to let access in, it's the landlord or letting agent's duty to clarify the legal obligations in writing, and follow by visiting the property to force entry if needed.
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 on your home's systems and therefore be trusted to perform the safety inspection. Be aware that a gas engineer is able to legally disconnect the malfunctioning equipment or cut off your gas supply should it be required.