Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As an owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, flues and chimneys undergo annual checks. You should also provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer determines that any installation or appliance is imminently dangerous, they will request permission to disconnect the supply of gas and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that demonstrates that all the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been examined by a certified gas engineer. Landlords are legally obliged to arrange a gas safety check annually for each rental property they own. The inspection is conducted by a Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all pipes and appliances as well as flues are in good working order and that they are in compliance with the safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to give tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) at the time of each annual inspection and test for gas safety. The certificate should be given to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the start of their tenure.
CP12 is how long does a gas safety certificate last of the CORGI Proforma 12 that was used by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form includes the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their results, any steps that need to be taken, as well as the name and the title of the engineer that conducted the check.
The engineer will offer advice on the spot 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 a device is deemed Immediately Dangerous, or Abnormally lethal the gas supply needs to be disconnected until the problem has been resolved.
It is illegal to a tenant who refuses to let the gas safety test to be carried out. If needed, a landlord can ask the courts for an order to prohibit the tenant from preventing gas safety inspections. However, it is usually easier to write a letter that describes why the check is essential and what will be required. This should entice the tenant who is hesitant to let access to the property. If not, the landlord will need to initiate the eviction process.
How often should I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
In the law, landlords and letting agents are required to conduct an annual safety check 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. Gas inspections are a vital responsibility for landlords, and they must ensure they are conducted by a certified engineer.
how long does gas safety certificate last (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is legal document that confirms that an inspection of the gas supply has been performed by a licensed engineer within the past 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and must also be given to the tenant to prove the safety of 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 breaking the law and could be penalized by the local authority. It is therefore essential for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out at a timely basis and keep a copy of the certificate in case a tenant requests it.
It's also a good idea for landlords to put inspection hatches on all gas appliances, to allow engineers to easily access them for annual inspections. The engineer will classify the appliance as being at-risk and may suggest that the tenant refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords are also required to provide their tenants with at least 24 hours' notice prior to entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This gives tenants time to prepare and ask permission if needed. If a tenant is unwilling to permit the engineer to enter the landlord must inform them why it is necessary and what happens if they don't follow through. 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 happens if you don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal responsibility of a landlord to ensure that their property is equipped with a gas safety certificate valid prior to the time tenants move into. how long does a gas safety certificate last to adhere to this law could result in a landlord being prosecuted or being fined a significant amount. The regulations also state that landlords must give an original copy of their gas safety report to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to conduct a gas check on all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will identify any issues that could pose a risk 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 crucial document that every tenant must keep. It includes information about the gas installations in a rented property as well as information regarding when they last tested and their expiry dates. It will help tenants recognize issues with their appliances or installations and make sure that they know how to contact a Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.
Landlords are required to provide their current and new tenants with a gas safety check report within 28 days of the engineer's visit to their property. The landlord must also provide a copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenancy. Landlords who fail to provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate may be prosecuted under the regulations and face 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 for them to be tested every month. The landlord is accountable for repairing any alarm that doesn't work. The rules around this are applicable to council, private and housing association landlords, and also to licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In June 2017 the High Court ruled that it was illegal for landlords to issue Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid gas Safety Certificate. The ruling was based on the law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to have an official gas safety certificate for their property prior to when tenants move into it.
How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally responsible to make sure that the gas appliances, flues and pipework in their homes are safe for tenants. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To be in compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to arrange annual gas checks on all the gas appliances and flues they provide for use within the property. This is known as a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and it must be signed by a licensed Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to consider having the boiler service completed in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, as it will help ensure that all gas appliances are functioning in a safe and efficient manner. Gas engineers can provide a combined CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable price. They will check the seals on 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 referred to as the 'landlord 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 must be addressed. Landlords must give their tenants a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
It is essential that landlords or letting agents only permit Gas Safe registered engineers to access the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It's a good idea educate tenants on the importance of allowing access and explain that the gas engineer will protect them from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant does not allow access, the landlord or agent must outline the legal obligations in writing. They should then visit the property and force entry if needed.
Tenants should always ask to have a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before they allow them into the home, as this will prove that they're qualified to work on the gas systems in your home and is able to complete the gas safety inspection efficiently and effectively. It's important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally able to shut off any malfunctioning equipment and can cut off gas lines if necessary.