Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

As an owner, it is your responsibility to ensure all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys undergo annual checks. You must also give a copy of the report to your tenants.

If the engineer deems any device or installation to be immediately hazardous, they will ask for permission to cut off the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches are installed.

What is a Gas Safety Certificate?

A gas safety certificate issued by a landlord is an official document that proves that all gas appliances and flues within the rented property were inspected by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are legally required to arrange a gas safety check once per year for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and verify that all pipes, appliances and flues conform with safety standards.

Landlords are also legally required to give their tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) following each annual gas safety inspection and test. This should be given to tenants within 28 days following the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their tenure.

CP12 is the abbreviation used for the CORGI Proforma 12 that was employed by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form identifies the date of the last gas inspection or test, the results, any actions or issues that need to be addressed, as well as the name of the person who performed the check.

If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas appliance and the engineer will give advice on what must be done to ensure it is safe for use. If a device is deemed dangerous immediately or abnormally lethal the gas supply should be shut off until the issue has been resolved.

It is illegal to a tenant who refuses to allow the gas safety check to be carried out. If needed the landlord has the right to ask the courts for an order to stop the tenant from refusing to allow gas safety inspections. However, it is usually easier to send a letter that clarifies why the checks are important and what’s required. This will encourage the tenant who is hesitant to let access to the property. If not the landlord is not willing, he will have to start the eviction procedure.

How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?

By 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 their equipment is safe for use and that there aren’t gas leaks within the property. This is an essential responsibility for landlords and they should make sure that they are inspected for gas by a licensed gas engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document that affirms that an engineer has completed a gas inspection in the last 12 months. It is given to the landlord and must be handed over to the tenant as proof of the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months and mkgassafety.co.uk must be renewed each year.

A landlord who is unable to provide an Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. Gas Safety checks must be completed by landlords in time. They must keep a copy in the event that tenants request it.

It is also an excellent idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances, so that the engineers can easily access them for inspections every year. If the appliance is found to be in danger during an inspection, the engineer will formally categorise it as such and may disconnect the boiler and recommend that tenants not to use it until the inspection hatch is installed.

Landlords must also give their tenants at least 24 hours’ notice prior to entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows tenants to prepare and ask permission if needed. If a tenant refuses to allow the engineer access the landlord should write to them explaining the reason for the visit and what will happen if they don’t follow through. If the tenant continues to refuse, then the landlord should look into evicting them pursuant to section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.

What happens if you don’t have a Gas Safety Certificate?

In short, it’s a landlord’s legal duty to ensure their property has a valid gas safety certification before tenants move into the property. Failure to adhere to this law could result in the landlord being charged or fined severely. The regulations state that landlords are required to provide copies of gas safety certificates 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, 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 a crucial document that every tenant should keep. The document contains information about gas installations in a rental property as well as the date they were tested as well as their expiration dates. It will help tenants recognize issues with their appliances or installations and make sure that they know how contact an Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.

Landlords are required to provide a gas safety report to their tenants, current and new within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. The landlord is also required to provide a copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenancy. Landlords who fail to provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted in accordance with the regulations and face unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.

Similar to this landlords must ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their homes and arrange for them being tested each month. If the alarm isn’t functioning, the landlord has to repair it. This applies to private landlords, councils and housing associations as well as licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.

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 an official gas safety certificate. The decision was made by reference to the law which stipulates that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must have a record of their gas safety for their property before tenants move into the property.

How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

Landlords are required by law to ensure that the gas appliances, flues, and pipework in their properties are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 deal with this. To ensure compliance with the regulations landlords must conduct annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues they supply to tenants. This is known as a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and it must be completed by a certified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.

Landlords should consider performing a boiler inspection simultaneously with a CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Gas engineers can provide an integrated CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable cost. They will check the seals of boiler burners as well as look for leaks and cracks in the flue system and clean the heat exchanger, and carry out general maintenance.

The CP12 document is often known as the ‘landlord’s gas safety certificate’ however, it is officially referred to as the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of safety inspections, and specifics about any issues or actions that need to be addressed. Landlords must provide their tenants with 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 permit Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property for safety inspections and maintenance. It’s a good idea educate tenants on the importance of allowing access and explaining that the gas engineer will ensure they are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to allow access, it’s the landlord or letting agent’s responsibility to explain the legal responsibilities in writing and then follow by visiting the property to compel entry if needed.

Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before allowing them to enter the property. This will prove that the engineer is competent to work with your home’s systems and can therefore be trusted to perform the safety inspection. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally allowed to cut off any defective equipment and can shut off your gas supply if necessary.