Keep An Eye On This: How Gas Safety Certificate And Boiler Service Is Gaining Ground And How To Respond

Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

As a landlord it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, chimneys and flues are inspected every year. The law also requires you provide a copy the check to your tenants.

If the engineer believes that a particular appliance or installation is immediately dangerous the engineer will request permission to cut off the supply of gas safety certificate and boiler service and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.

What is the definition of a Gas Safety Certificate?

A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document which demonstrates that the gas appliances in the rental property and flues have been examined by a certified gas engineer. The landlord must arrange for the gas check for each rental property they own at least once per year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry out the inspection and check that all pipework, appliances and flues conform with safety regulations.

The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) after each 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 start 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 outlines the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, the results, any actions that need to be taken, as well as the name and title of the engineer that conducted the test.

The engineer will provide advice in the event that the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will include the items that need to be corrected to make it safe to use. If an appliance is deemed immediately dangerous or abnormally lethal the gas supply needs to be shut off until the issue has been resolved.

It is a crime for a tenant to refuse to let the gas safety inspection to be conducted. If necessary the landlord has the right to ask the courts for a court order to stop the tenant from refusing to allow gas safety inspections. However, it is often easier to send a letter which describes why the check is vital and what is involved. This should convince a tenant who is reluctant to give access, and if not, the landlord may be required to begin the process of eviction.

How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?

In the law, landlords and letting agents are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on 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. This is a vitally important obligation and landlords must ensure that they get their gas inspections done by a qualified gas engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document that indicates that an engineer completed a gas inspection in the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord, and should be presented to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months, and must be renewed each year.

If a landlord fails to provide their tenants with a Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be punished by the local authority. It is therefore essential for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out in a timely manner and to keep a copy of the documents in case a tenant requests it.

It is also an excellent idea for landlords to put inspection hatches on all gas appliances to allow engineers to easily access the hatches for annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be at risk during an inspection the engineer will declare it to be at risk and may disconnect the boiler and recommend that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch has been installed.

Landlords must also 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 give permission, if required. If a tenant is refusing access to the engineer the landlord has to explain why this is necessary and what will happen in the event that the tenant refuses. If the tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord may decide to evict the tenant under section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.

What is the consequence if I don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?

It is the legal responsibility of a landlord to ensure that their property has an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into. Failure to comply with this law could result in the landlord being prosecuted or fined severely. The regulations state that landlords must also furnish copies of the gas safety certificates 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, a Gas Safe registered engineer will identify any issues that could pose a danger 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 very important document that every tenant must keep. This document contains information about gas installations in rental properties, including when they were tested and their expiration dates. It can help tenants spot any issues with their appliances or installation and ensure that they are aware of how long does gas safety certificate last to reach an Gas Safe engineer to have them tested.

Landlords are required to provide an inspection report on gas safety to their tenants, new and existing within 28 days of the date that the engineer has visited their property. The landlord must also provide a copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords who fail to provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate may be prosecuted in accordance with the regulations and may be subject to unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.

In the same way landlords must make sure that carbon monoxide detectors are in operation in their properties and make arrangements for them to be tested every month. If the alarm is not working, the landlord should make the necessary repairs. This is applicable to private landlords, councils and housing associations, as well as licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation.

In June 2017 the High Court decided that it was illegal for landlords to issue Section 21 notices if they did not provide their tenants with an official gas safety certificate. The decision was based upon the law that requires landlords with assured shorthold tenancies to obtain a gas safety certification for their property prior to the time tenants move in.

How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework in the properties they lease are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. To comply with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas inspections on all gas safety certificate homeowner appliances and flues they install 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.

Landlords should also think about performing a boiler inspection at the same time as a CP12 inspection. This will ensure that the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Landlords can typically get a combined CP12 and boiler service for an affordable price from a professional gas engineer, who will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners. They will also inspect the flue system for leaks and cracks, clean the burner and heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.

The CP12 is often known as "landlord's gas safety certificate" but it is actually called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It includes the results of the safety tests, as well as specifics of any issues or actions that should 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 checks and for maintenance. It is a good idea to inform tenants of the importance of allowing access and explain that the gas engineer will help keep them safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant does not allow access, the landlord or agent must explain the legal obligations in writing. They should then go to the property and force entry if necessary.

Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before they are allowed to enter the property. This will prove that the engineer is competent to work on your home's systems and therefore be trusted to carry out the safety check. You should also be aware that a gas engineer can legally shut off the malfunctioning equipment or cut off the gas supply in case of need.