Gas Safety Certificate And Boiler Service: What's No One Is Talking About

Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances as well as chimneys and flues are inspected every year. The law also requires that you provide a copy of the check to your tenants.

If the engineer determines that an device or installation to be immediately dangerous, they will ask permission to disconnect the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches be put in place.

What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that proves that all the gas appliances and flues have been checked by a certified gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange a gas check for each rental property they have at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and ensure that all pipework, appliances and flues comply with safety standards.

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

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 identifies the date of the last gas inspection and test, the results of these, any actions or issues that need to be addressed, as well as the name of the person who conducted the test.

If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas appliance the engineer will provide advice on what should be done to ensure its safe use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediate danger or abnormally lethal, the gas supply will have to be turned off until the problem has been solved.

If a tenant does not allow access for the gas safety checks to be completed the tenant is guilty of an offence that is criminal. If needed the landlord has the right to ask the courts for an order to stop the tenant from preventing gas safety checks. However, it is usually easier to send a letter that clarifies why the checks are vital and what is required. This should convince a tenant who is reluctant to let access in, and if otherwise, the landlord could have to think about starting the eviction process.

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

In the law, landlords and agents for letting are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection of the chimneys and gas appliances they offer to their tenants. This is to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks in the property. Gas inspections are a vital responsibility for landlords, and they must ensure they are carried out by a licensed engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is legal document that confirms that a gas inspection has been performed by a licensed engineer within the last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord and should be given to the tenant as proof of the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months, and must be renewed annually.

A landlord who fails to provide an Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. It is therefore crucial for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out in a timely manner and to keep a copy the certificate in case a tenant needs it.

Installing  landlord gas safety certificate cp12  on all gas appliances is a good idea, as it allows engineers to gain access to the appliances 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 is 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 for the visit and provide permission if needed. If a tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry the landlord must write to them explaining the reason for the visit and what happens if they don't comply. If the tenant still refuses the engineer entry, then the landlord must think about evicting them under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.

What is the consequence if you don't possess a Gas Safety Certificate?

In short, it's the landlord's legal responsibility to ensure that their property is equipped with a valid gas safety certificate before tenants move in. Failing to do so is an offence that can result in landlords being charged and liable to heavy fines. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must provide an electronic copy of the gas safety report to their tenants upon request.

Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property of the landlord to perform an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, a Gas Safe registered engineer will note any problems that could be a threat to tenants. They will issue the CP12 gas safety document, that is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.

This is a crucial document that every tenant must keep. The document contains information about gas installations in rental properties, including when they were tested and expiration dates. It will help tenants recognize issues with their appliances and installations and make sure they know how contact an Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.

Landlords must give a gas safety report to their tenants, both new and current, within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. They must also provide a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy commences. Landlords who fail to provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate may be prosecuted under the regulations and may be subject to unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.

Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms. They can also arrange for them to be tested each month. The landlord is responsible for repairing an alarm that does not work. The rules around this are applicable to private, council and housing association landlords, as well as to licensable houses of multiple Occupation (HMOs).

In June 2017 the High Court ruled that it was unlawful for landlords to serve Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid Gas Safety Certificate. The ruling was based on the law that requires landlords with assured shorthold tenancies to obtain a gas safety certificate for their property before tenants move into it.

How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that gas appliances, flues, and pipework in their homes are safe for tenants. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. In order to comply with the regulations, landlords are required to arrange annual gas checks on all the gas appliances and flues that they install in the property. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be signed by a licensed Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.

It is also recommended for landlords to consider having the boiler service completed at the same time as the CP12 inspection, since this will help ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Landlords can typically obtain a combined CP12 and boiler service for a reasonable 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, clean the burner and heat exchanger and conduct general maintenance.

The CP12 document is often known as the 'landlord's gas safety certificate' although it is officially called the Gas Safety Record documentation. It outlines the outcomes of all safety inspections and the details of any actions or issues that need to be resolved. 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 the landlords or letting agents permit Gas Safe registered engineers to visit the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It is crucial to educate tenants on the importance of permitting gas engineers access to the property. They should explain that the engineer's presence is necessary to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant refuses to allow access the agent or landlord must state the legal requirements in writing. They should then visit the property and force 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 qualified to work on your home's systems and therefore be trusted to perform the safety check. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally permitted to cut off any defective equipment and can shut off your gas supply when necessary.