The Next Big Thing In Gas Safety Certificate And Boiler Service
Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As an owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, flues and chimneys are inspected annually. You should also give a copy of the report to your tenants.
If the engineer determines that any installation or appliance is immediately dangerous, they will request permission to disconnect the supply of gas and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that demonstrates that all the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are legally required conduct a gas safety inspection every year for each rental property they own. The inspection is conducted by a Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all of the pipework, appliances, and flues are in good working condition and in compliance with safety regulations.
Landlords are also legally required to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas safety certificates Record) following each annual gas safety inspection and test. The certificate should be given to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the beginning of their lease.
CP12 is the abbreviation used for the CORGI Proforma 12 that was employed by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form identifies the date of the last gas inspection and tests and the results of these, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, and the name of the person who performed the check.
The engineer will offer advice if the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will include what needs to be corrected so that it is safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediately dangerous or abnormally dangerous, the gas supply must be turned off until the issue has been resolved.
It is a crime for a tenant to refuse to allow the gas safety test to be carried out. If needed, a landlord can ask the courts for a court order to enjoin the tenant from preventing gas safety checks. However, it's more common to send a letter that clarifies why the checks are vital and what is involved. This will make a tenant more hesitant to let access in, and if otherwise, the landlord could need to consider starting the eviction process.
How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
By law, landlords and let agents are required by law to conduct an annual safety check of all gas appliances and chimneys they offer 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. Gas inspections are a crucial responsibility for landlords, and they must ensure that they are conducted by a licensed 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 given to the landlord and should be given to the tenant as proof of the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and needs to be renewed every year.
A landlord who is unable to provide an Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. Gas Safety checks must be completed by landlords in time. They must also keep a copy of the certificate in the event that tenants request it.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to install inspection hatches on all gas appliances so that engineers can easily access them for annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be 'at risk' during an inspection the engineer will categorise it as such and will shut off the boiler and suggest that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords are also required to give tenants at least 24 hours' notice before entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This will allow tenants to prepare for the visit and provide permission if needed. If a tenant refuses access to the engineer the landlord has to explain the reason for this and what would happen should the tenant refuse. If the tenant does not allow the engineer entry, the landlord could decide to evict the tenant under section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.
What is the consequence if I don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal responsibility of landlords to ensure that their property is equipped with an official gas safety certificate that is valid prior to the time tenants move in. Infractions to this law can result in a landlord being prosecuted or fined severely. The regulations stipulate that landlords are required to provide copies of the gas safety records to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord to conduct an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection, a Gas Safe registered engineer will note any problems that could be a threat to tenants. The engineer will then issue the CP12 Gas Safety Document, also known as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is a crucial document that every tenant must keep. This document contains information about gas installations in a rental property as well as the date they were tested and their expiration dates. It can help tenants identify issues with their appliances or installations and make sure they know how to contact the Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.
Landlords must give the gas safety report to their tenants, current and new within 28 days of the date that the engineer has visited their property. They must also provide a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy starts. Landlords who fail to provide the copy of the gas certificate can be prosecuted and could face unlimited fines or six months in prison.
Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange for them to be tested each month. If the alarm isn't working, the landlord must repair it. The rules governing this apply 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 send Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official Gas Safety Certificate. The decision was made by reference to the law which states that landlords of assured shorthold tenancies must have a gas safety record for their property prior to when tenants move in.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are required by law to make sure that the gas appliances, flues and pipework in their homes are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. To comply with the regulations landlords must conduct annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues that they install to tenants. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, and it has to be completed by a qualified gas safety certificate uk Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
It's also a good idea for landlords to consider having the boiler service completed simultaneously with the CP12 inspection, since this will ensure that all the gas appliances are operating correctly and safely. Landlords can usually receive a combination CP12 and boiler service at an affordable cost from a qualified gas engineer who will be able to check the seals on boiler burners. They will also inspect the flue system for leaks and cracks as well as clean the heat exchanger and burner and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 is often known as "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it actually is called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of the safety checks, as well as specifics of any issues or actions that should be taken care of. Landlords are required to provide their tenants a CP12 document within 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is essential that landlords and letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It is essential to inform tenants about the importance of permitting gas engineers access to their property and explain that the engineer's presence is necessary to safeguard them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is reluctant to let access in it is the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility to explain the legal responsibilities in writing, and follow by visiting the property to compel entry if needed.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before entering the property. This will ensure that the engineer is qualified to work on your home's systems and can therefore be trusted to perform the safety inspection. It is also important to know that a gas engineer can legally remove the malfunctioning equipment or cut off the gas supply in case of need.