Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, flues and chimneys undergo annual checks. The law also requires you give a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer determines that an appliance or installation as being immediately hazardous, they will request permission to shut off the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches be installed.
What is cp12 certificate (GSC)?
A landlord gas safety certificate is a document that proves that all the gas appliances in the rental property and flues have been checked by a licensed gas engineer. The landlord must arrange for an annual gas inspection for each rental property that they own at least once per year. The inspection is carried out by an Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all pipework, appliances, and flues are in good working order and that they comply with the safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) at the time of each annual inspection and test for gas safety. This should be provided to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the start of their tenancy.
CP12 is an abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 which was used by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) prior to being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form lists the date of the last gas inspection or test and the results of these tests, any issues or actions that need to be addressed, as well as the name of the person who performed the check.
The engineer will offer advice if the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be fixed in order to ensure it is safe to use. If an appliance is deemed dangerous immediately or abnormally dangerous the gas supply needs to be disconnected until the problem has been resolved.
It is illegal for a tenant to refuse to allow the gas safety inspection to be conducted. A landlord may apply to the courts for an injunction order should it be necessary, but it is usually much easier to simply send a strongly worded letter explaining the reason why the checks are carried out and what they will entail. This will make a tenant more hesitant to let access in, 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 law requires that landlords and let agents are required by law to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on the 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 a vitally important responsibility and landlords should be sure to have their gas inspections completed by a certified gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document which affirms that an engineer has completed a gas inspection within the last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord and must be given to the tenant to prove the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and has to be renewed each year.
If a landlord is unable to provide their tenants with a Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be fined by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be performed by landlords on time. They must also keep a copy of the certificate in the event that tenants request it.
Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea since it allows engineers to quickly access the appliances to conduct annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be 'at risk' during an inspection the engineer will classify it as such and shut off the boiler and advise that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch has been installed.
The landlords should also ensure that they provide their tenants with at least 24 hours notice before they visit the property to conduct Gas Safety checks. This will allow tenants to prepare for the visit and grant permission if needed. If a tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord should send a letter to them explaining the reason for the visit and what happens in the event that they do not comply. If the tenant does not allow the engineer entry, the landlord can decide to evict the tenant under section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.
What is the consequence if I don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
In short, it's the landlord's legal responsibility to ensure that their home has an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into the property. Failure to do this is an offence that can result in landlords being charged and liable to heavy fines. The regulations also state that landlords must provide an original copy of their gas safety record to their tenants on request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home 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 present a danger to tenants. The engineer will issue a CP12 Gas Safety Document, also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is a vital piece of documentation that every tenant should take possession of and keep. This document provides information on gas installations in a rental property and the dates they were tested as well as their expiration dates. It will help tenants recognize issues with their appliances and installations and make sure that they know how contact an Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.
Landlords must provide an inspection report on gas safety to their tenants, both new and current, within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. They must also give a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy begins. Landlords that fail to provide the the gas certificate may be prosecuted and could face unlimited fines, or six months in prison.
Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange that they be tested every month. If the alarm is not working, the landlord must 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 illegal for landlords to issue Section 21 notices if they did not provide their tenants with a valid gas safety certificate. The decision was made in accordance with the law that states that landlords with assured shorthold leases must have a gas safety record for their property prior to the time tenants move in.
How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords have a legal responsibility 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 are required to conduct annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues they provide for use in a property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be signed by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also consider conducting a boiler inspection simultaneously with an CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Landlords can usually get a combined CP12 and boiler service at an affordable price from a qualified gas engineer, who will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for cracks and leaks cleaning the burner and heat exchanger and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 document is commonly known as the 'landlord's gas safety certificate' but it is actually the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of the safety inspections, and specifics of any issues or actions that need to be taken care of. Landlords are required to provide their tenants the CP12 document within 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is crucial that landlords and letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and for maintenance. It is crucial 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 state the legal requirements in writing. They should then go to the property and force entry if necessary.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before allowing them to enter the property. This will confirm that the engineer is qualified to work with your home's systems and can therefore be trusted to conduct the safety check. It's important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally allowed to disconnect faulty equipment and cut off your gas supplies when necessary.