Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys undergo annual checks. You must also give a copy of the report to your tenants.
If the engineer believes that any installation or appliance is immediately dangerous the engineer 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 landlord gas safety certificate is a document which demonstrates that the gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a certified gas engineer. Landlords must arrange the gas check for each rental property they own at least once per year. The inspection is carried out by an Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all pipework and appliances as well as flues are in good working condition and that they comply with the safety regulations.
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 provided to tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their lease.
CP12 is an abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 which was employed by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before it was replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form outlines the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, the results, any steps that must be taken, and the name and name of the engineer that conducted the test.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas device, the engineer will advise on what needs to be done to ensure it is safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediate danger or abnormally lethal, the gas supply will have to be disconnected until the issue is solved.
If a tenant does not allow access for gas safety checks to be completed, it is an offence that is criminal. If needed landlords can apply to the courts for an order to enjoin the tenant from preventing the gas safety checks. However, it's usually easier to send a letter that describes why the check is important and what's involved. This should encourage a reluctant tenant to let access in, and in the event that they do not, the landlord might be required to begin the eviction process.
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 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 gas leaks in the property. Gas inspections are a vital obligation for landlords, and they must ensure that they are completed by a certified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is a legal document that confirms that an inspection of the gas supply has been conducted by a qualified engineer within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and must be presented to the tenant to prove the safety of gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months and has to be renewed every year.
If a landlord does not provide their tenants with the Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be fined by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be carried out by landlords on time. They should also keep a copy of the certificate in case tenants request it.
It's also a good 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 in danger during an inspection the engineer will declare it to be at risk and may disconnect the boiler and advise that the tenant refrain from using it until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords should also make sure that they give tenants a minimum of 24 hours notice before they are allowed to enter the property to conduct Gas Safety checks. This gives tenants time to plan their inspection and request permission if they need. If a tenant refuses to allow the engineer access, the landlord should inform them why the engineer is required and what happens if they don't comply. If the tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer entry, the landlord can consider evicting the tenant under section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if you don't own a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal obligation of a landlord to ensure that their property is fitted with a gas safety certificate valid prior to the time tenants move in. In the absence of this, it's an offense that could result in landlords being prosecuted and subject to severe fines. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must give an electronic copy of the gas safety record to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property of the landlord to conduct an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will take note of any issues that may present a danger for tenants. The engineer will then issue the CP12 Gas Safety Document, also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is an important document that every tenant must keep. This document contains information about gas installations in a rental home, including when they were tested as well as their expiration dates. It can help tenants identify problems with appliances or installations and make sure that they know how contact an Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.
Landlords are required to provide the gas safety report to their tenants, new and existing, within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. They must also provide a copy the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy begins. Landlords who do not provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted under the regulations and face unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.
Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange for them to be tested every month. The landlord is responsible for fixing the problem if the alarm does not work. The rules for this apply to private, council and housing association landlords and also to licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In hop over to these guys , 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 who have assured shorthold leases to obtain a gas safety certificate for their property before tenants move in.
How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that the gas appliances, flues and pipework in their properties are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 deal with this. To ensure compliance with the regulations landlords must conduct annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues that they install to tenants. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate. It must be completed by a licensed Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to think about having an annual boiler service performed in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, as it will help ensure that all the gas appliances are working in a safe and efficient manner. Gas engineers can offer an integrated CP12 inspection and boiler service for a reasonable price. They will examine the seals on boiler burners as well as look for cracks and leaks in the flue system and clean the heat exchanger and perform 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 contains the results of all the safety checks and the details of any actions or issues that require attention. Landlords are required to provide their tenants the CP12 document within 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is important that landlords and letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property for safety inspections and maintenance. It is crucial to educate tenants about the importance of allowing 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 is unwilling to permit access, the landlord or agent must explain the legal obligations in writing. Then, they should visit the property and force entry if required.
Tenants should always be shown a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to they allow them into the home, as this will prove that they're qualified to work on your home's gas systems and can be trusted to complete the gas safety test efficiently and efficiently. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally able to disconnect faulty equipment and can cut off gas lines when necessary.