Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances chimneys, flues and chimneys are inspected every year. The law also requires you provide a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer deems any appliance or installation to be immediately dangerous, they will request permission to shut off the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches be installed.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate issued by a landlord is an official document that confirms that all gas appliances and flues within the rental property were inspected by an experienced gas engineer. Landlords are legally required to conduct a gas safety inspection once per year for each rental property they own. The inspection is conducted by an Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all pipework and appliances as well as flues are in good working order and in compliance with the safety regulations.
Landlords are also required by law to give their tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) after each annual gas safety inspection and test. The document should be handed out to tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning 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 shows the date of the last gas inspection or test as well as the results, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, and the name of the person who performed the test.
The engineer will provide advice on the spot if the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be corrected so that it is safe for use. If an appliance is deemed dangerous immediately or abnormally dangerous the gas supply should be turned off until the issue has been resolved.
If a tenant refuses to permit access to the gas safety checks to be completed the tenant is guilty of an offence that is criminal. A landlord can apply to the courts for an injunction order if necessary, however it is usually much easier to simply send a strongly written letter that explains the reasons why it is crucial that the checks are conducted and what they will involve. This should convince a tenant who is reluctant to let access in, and if otherwise, the landlord could be required to begin the process of eviction.
How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
The landlords and letting agencies are legally required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on all flues and gas appliances that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe to use and that there aren't gas leaks within the property. Gas inspections are an essential obligation for landlords and they must ensure that they are conducted by a licensed engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is an official document that proves that the gas inspection was performed by a licensed engineer within the past 12 months. It is given to the landlord and should be provided to the tenant as proof of the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months and has to be renewed every year.
If a landlord fails 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 vital for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out in a timely manner and to keep a copy the documentation in case a tenant requests it.
Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea, as it allows engineers to gain access to the appliances to conduct annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be at risk during an inspection the engineer will categorise it as such and will shut off the boiler and suggest that tenants not to use it until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords must also give tenants at least 24 hours' notice prior entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows tenants to prepare and ask permission, if required. If a tenant does not allow access to the engineer the landlord must explain the reason for this and what will happen in the event that the tenant refuses. If the tenant continues to refuse then the landlord should look into evicting them pursuant to section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What is the consequence if you don't possess a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal obligation of a landlord to ensure that their property has an official gas safety certificate that is valid prior to the time tenants move in. Failure to do this is an offence that can result in landlords being punished with severe fines. The regulations state that landlords are required to provide copies of gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have a 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 could present a danger for tenants. They will then issue the CP12 gas safety document, which is known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is an important 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 identify any issues with the appliances or installations and ensure they are aware of how to contact an Gas Safe engineer to have them tested.
Landlords are required to provide an inspection report on gas safety to their tenants, 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 commences. Landlords who fail to provide the copy of the gas certificate could be prosecuted and face unlimited fines or even six months in prison.
In the same way landlords must ensure that carbon monoxide detectors work in their properties and make arrangements for them to be tested each month. If the alarm isn't functioning, the landlord has to fix it. The rules governing this apply to council, private and housing association landlords as well as to licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In June 2017, the High Court decided that it was illegal for landlords to issue Section 21 notices if they did not provide their tenants with an official gas safety certificate. The decision was based upon the law that requires landlords with assured shorthold tenancies to obtain a gas safety certificate for their property prior to when tenants move into it.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework in the properties they rent out are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. To comply with gas safe register duplicate certificate are required to conduct annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues that they install 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 consider performing a boiler inspection in conjunction with the CP12 inspection. This will ensure that the gas appliances are functioning 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 will be able to check the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for leaks and cracks cleaning the burner and heat exchanger and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes called "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it actually is known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It outlines the outcomes of all the safety checks and details of any actions or issues that need to be resolved. Landlords are required to provide their tenants the CP12 document not later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is essential that the landlord or letting agent only allow Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises to conduct safety checks and for maintenance. It's a good idea to inform tenants of the importance of allowing access and explaining that the gas engineer will protect them from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant refuses to allow access, the landlord or agent must state the legal requirements in writing. They should then go to the property and force entry if necessary.
Tenants must always request to see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to they allow them into the home to ensure that they're qualified to work on the gas systems in your home and can be trusted to complete the gas safety check efficiently and effectively. Be aware that a gas engineer is able to legally shut off faulty equipment or cut off your gas supply should it be required.