Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances chimneys, flues and chimneys are inspected annually. You must also give a copy of the report to your tenants.
If the engineer considers that any appliance or installation is immediately dangerous, they will request permission to cut off gas supply 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 gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords must arrange a gas check for each rental property that they have at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry out the inspection and check that all pipework, appliances and flues are in compliance with safety standards.
The law also requires landlords to give tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record), following every annual inspection and test for gas safety. The certificate should be given to tenants in the 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the beginning of their tenancy.
CP12 is an abbreviation used for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was employed by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form shows the date of the last gas inspection and test, the results of these tests, any actions or issues that need to be addressed, and the name of the engineer who carried out the check.
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 a gas appliance is found to be immediately dangerous or abnormally lethal, the gas supply will need to be shut off until the issue is fixed.
If a tenant refuses to allow access for gas security checks to be conducted, it is an infraction that is punishable by law. A landlord can ask the courts for an injunction if necessary, however it is generally easier to simply send a strongly worded letter explaining the reasons why it is crucial that the checks are conducted and what they will involve. This should convince a tenant who is reluctant to allow access and, in the event that they do not, the landlord may need to consider starting the eviction process.
How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agents are required by law to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on all flues and gas appliances that are supplied to tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and there are no gas leaks within 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 known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document which indicates that an engineer completed a gas inspection in the last 12 months. It is given to the landlord and should be provided to the tenant to prove the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months and must be renewed annually.
If a landlord is unable to provide their tenants with an Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be punished by the local authority. It is therefore crucial for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out on time and to keep a copy the certificate in case a tenant requests it.
It is also an excellent idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances, so that engineers can easily access them for annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be at risk during an inspection, the engineer will formally classify it as such and will shut off the boiler and recommend that the tenant refrain from using it until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords are also required to give tenants at least 24 hours' notice prior entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows tenants time to prepare and ask permission, if required. If a tenant does not allow the engineer access the landlord must send a letter to them explaining the reason for the visit and what will happen if they don't follow through. If the tenant still refuses, then the landlord should consider evicting them using section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if I don't get a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal responsibility of a landlord to ensure that their property is fitted with an official gas safety certificate that is valid before tenants move into. In the absence of this, it's an offence that can cause landlords to be punished with severe fines. The regulations also stipulate that a landlord must provide a copy of the gas safety report to their tenants on request.
Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to conduct a gas check on all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will be able to identify any issues that could be a threat to tenants. They will issue a CP12 gas safety document, which is known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is an important document that every tenant should keep. The document contains information about gas installations in rental properties and the dates they were tested and their expiration dates. It can help tenants identify any issues with their appliances or installation and ensure they know how to reach an Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords must provide the 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 an original copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords who do not provide a copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted under the regulations and could face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms. They can also arrange that they be tested every month. The landlord is responsible for repairing the problem if the alarm does not work. The rules around this apply to private, council and housing association landlords as well as to licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In June 2017 In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was unlawful for landlords to send Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid gas Safety Certificate. The decision was based upon a law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to have a gas safety certification for their property prior to the time tenants move into it.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are required by law to ensure that the gas appliances, flues, and pipework in their homes are safe for tenants. This is covered by 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 gas appliances and flues they supply for use in the building. 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 an annual boiler service performed simultaneously with the CP12 inspection, since this will ensure that all the gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Gas engineers can offer an integrated CP12 inspection and boiler service for a reasonable price. They will inspect the seals on boiler burners, inspect for leaks and cracks in the flue system, clean the heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 document is often called the 'landlord's gas safety certificate', however, it is officially referred to as the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of the safety checks, as well as details of any problems or actions that must be addressed. Landlords must provide their tenants a CP12 document not later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is important that landlords and letting agents only permit Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It's a good idea inform tenants about the necessity of allowing access, and explain that the gas engineer will protect them from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to permit access, the landlord or agent must explain the legal obligations in writing. They should then visit the property and force entry if necessary.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to they are allowed to enter the property. This will confirm that the engineer is qualified to work on your home's systems and therefore be trusted to conduct the safety check. It's important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally permitted to cut off any defective equipment and can cut off your gas supplies when necessary.