Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As an owner, it is your responsibility to ensure all gas appliances, flues and chimneys are inspected annually. You should also provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer considers that a particular appliance or installation is immediately dangerous they will ask permission to cut off gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A landlord's gas safety certificate is an official document that proves that all gas appliances and flues that are in the property that is rented have been inspected by a qualified gas engineer. The landlord must arrange for a gas check for each rental property they have at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry out the inspection and check that all pipes, appliances and flues are in compliance with safety standards.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) at the time of every annual inspection and test for gas safety. This should be provided to tenants in the 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the beginning of their tenancy.
CP12 is the abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 that was used by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form contains the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, the results, any steps that need to be taken, as well as the name and name of the engineer who conducted the inspection.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas appliance the engineer will provide advice on what must be done to ensure it is safe for use. If an appliance is deemed to be Immediately Dangerous or Abnormally Lethal, the gas supply must be turned off until the problem is solved.
It is a crime to a tenant who refuses to allow the gas safety inspection to be carried out. A landlord may apply to the courts for an injunction order if necessary, however it is usually much easier to simply send a strongly worded letter explaining why it is essential that the checks are made and what they'll involve. gas safety certificate uk will convince a tenant who is reluctant to allow access and, in the event that they do otherwise, the landlord could have to think about starting the process of eviction.
How often should I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
The landlords and letting agencies are required by law to conduct an annual safety check 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 any gas leaks in the property. This is a crucial responsibility for landlords and they should make sure that they get their gas inspections done by a licensed gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document that indicates that an engineer completed a gas inspection within the last 12 months. It is given to the landlord, and should be handed over to the tenant to prove the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and has to be renewed every year.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants with an Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of 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 keep a copy of the certificate in case a tenant requests it.
It's also a good idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances so that engineers can easily access the hatches for annual inspections. The engineer will categorise the appliance as being at-risk and may suggest that tenants refrain from using the boiler 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 allows tenants time to plan their inspection and request permission if they need. If a tenant does not allow access to the engineer the landlord must explain the reason why it is necessary and what happens in the event that the tenant refuses. If the tenant continues to refuse the engineer entry, then the landlord must think about evicting them under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What is the consequence if I don't have 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. gas safety certificate uk to adhere to this law can result in the landlord being prosecuted or fined severely. The regulations also stipulate that a landlord must provide a copy of the gas safety record to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property of the landlord in order to perform an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection, the engineer will note any issues that may pose a risk to tenants. The engineer will issue a CP12 Gas Safety Document, also known as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is a very important document that every tenant must keep. It contains information about the gas appliances in a rental property and also details on when they were last tested and when they expire. It can assist tenants in identifying issues with their appliances or installations and ensure that they are aware of how to contact a Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.
Landlords are required to provide a gas safety report to their tenants, both new and current, within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. The landlord must also provide a copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenancy. Landlords who do not provide a copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted under the rules and may be subject to unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
In the same way, landlords must make sure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms. They should also arrange that they be tested every month. If the alarm isn't working, the landlord should make the necessary repairs. This is the case for private landlords, councils 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 certification. The decision was based upon a law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold leases to obtain an official gas safety certificate for their property prior to when tenants move into it.
How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that gas appliances, flues, and pipework within the properties they lease out are safe. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To ensure compliance with the regulations landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues that they install to tenants. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate and it must be filled out by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also consider having a boiler inspection done at the same time as a CP12 inspection. This will ensure that the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Gas engineers can provide a combined CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable cost. They will inspect the seals of boiler burners, inspect for cracks and leaks in the flue system, clean the heat exchanger, and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes called "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it actually is called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of the safety checks, as well as specifics of any issues or actions that must be addressed. Landlords are required to provide their tenants the CP12 document no later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is crucial that landlords or letting agents only permit Gas Safe registered engineers to visit the property for safety checks and maintenance. It's important to educate tenants about the importance of permitting gas engineers access to the property and explain that the engineer is there to protect them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant refuses to allow access, the landlord or agent must explain the legal obligations in writing. Then, they should visit the property and force entry if required.
Tenants must always request to see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to they allow them into the home to prove that they're competent to work on your home's gas systems and are able to complete the gas safety inspection efficiently and effectively. It's important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally allowed to disconnect faulty equipment and can cut off your gas supplies in the event of a need.