Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As an owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, flues and chimneys undergo annual checks. The law also requires you provide a copy the check to your tenants.
If the engineer deems any appliance or installation as being immediately hazardous, they will ask for permission to shut off the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches be installed.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document which demonstrates that the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been checked by a licensed gas engineer. Landlords are legally obliged to arrange a gas safety check every year for each rental property they own. The inspection is performed by a Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all of the pipework, appliances, and flues are in good working condition and in compliance with 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. The document should be handed out to tenants within 28 days following the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their tenure.
CP12 is an abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 which was used by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before it was replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. 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 inspection.
The engineer will offer advice in the event that the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will include what needs to be addressed to make it safe to use. If an appliance is deemed immediately dangerous or abnormally lethal, the gas supply must be disconnected until the problem has been resolved.
It is a crime to a tenant who refuses to let the gas safety inspection to be carried out. A landlord can ask the courts for an injunction order in the event of need, but it is generally more efficient to simply send a strongly worded letter explaining why it is essential that the checks are made and what they'll involve. This will encourage the tenant who is hesitant to allow access to the house. If not the landlord has to start the eviction procedure.
How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
The law requires that landlords and let agents are required by law to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on all chimneys and gas appliances that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and that there aren't leaks of gas in the property. This is a vitally important responsibility and landlords should ensure 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 which affirms that an engineer has completed a gas check within the last 12 months. It is given to the landlord and should be provided to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months and must be renewed every 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 punished by the local authority. It is therefore vital for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out on time and to keep a copy of the documentation in case a tenant requests it.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to put inspection hatches on all gas appliances, so that the engineers can easily access the hatches for 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 suggest that tenants not to use it until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords should also make sure that they give their tenants at least 24 hours notice before they are allowed to enter the property to conduct Gas Safety checks. This allows tenants to prepare and ask permission if they need. If a tenant refuses the engineer's entry the landlord has to explain the reason for this and what will happen in the event that the tenant refuses. If the tenant does not allow the engineer entry, the landlord can consider evicting the tenant under section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if you don't own a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal responsibility of a landlord to make sure that their property is equipped with a gas safety certificate valid before tenants move into. Failure to comply with the law can lead to a landlord being prosecuted or fined severely. The regulations stipulate that landlords must also provide copies of gas safety records to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property of the landlord to conduct an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will take note of any issues that may cause a threat to tenants. The engineer will issue an CP12 Gas Safety Document, which is also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is a crucial document that every tenant should keep. This document contains information about gas installations in a rental home, including when they were tested and their expiration dates. It will help tenants recognize any issues with the installation or appliances and ensure they are aware of how to reach a Gas Safe engineer to have them tested.
Landlords are required to provide their new and current tenants with a gas safety inspection report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. They must also provide a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy commences. Landlords that fail to provide the the gas certificate can be charged and face unlimited fines, or six months in prison.
Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange that they be tested each month. The landlord is accountable for repairing an alarm that does not work. The rules governing this are applicable to council, private and housing association landlords as well as licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
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 certificate. The decision was based on the law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to have an official gas safety certificate for their property before tenants move into it.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are legally responsible for ensuring that gas appliances, flues, and pipework within the properties they lease are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 regulate this. To be in compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues they supply to tenants. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, and it has to be completed by a qualified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
It is also recommended for landlords to consider having an annual boiler service performed simultaneously with the CP12 inspection, as this will help ensure that all the gas appliances are functioning correctly and safely. Gas engineers can offer an integrated CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable price. They will inspect the seals of boiler burners, inspect for cracks and leaks in the flue system and clean the heat exchanger and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 document is commonly known as the 'landlord's gas safety certificate', however, it is officially referred to as the Gas Safety Record documentation. It outlines the outcomes of all the safety checks and the details of any actions or issues that require attention. Landlords must 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 allow Gas Safe registered engineers to visit the property for safety checks and maintenance. It's a good idea to educate tenants on the necessity of allowing access, and explaining that the gas engineer is there to help keep them safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to allow access it's the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility clarify the legal obligations in writing and then follow with a visit to the property to compel entry if needed.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to entering the property. safety certificates will ensure that the engineer has the necessary qualifications to work with the systems in your home and can therefore be trusted to conduct the safety inspection. Be aware that a gas engineer can legally remove defective equipment or shut off your gas supply should it be required.