Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, chimneys and flues are regularly inspected. It is also your responsibility to give a copy of the report to your tenants.
If the engineer considers that any installation or appliance is imminently dangerous they will ask permission to cut off the supply of gas and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is the definition of a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is an official document that confirms that all gas appliances and flues in the rental property have been inspected by an experienced gas engineer. The landlord must arrange for an annual gas inspection for each rental property that they own at least once a year. The inspection is carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all of the pipework and appliances as well as flues are in good working condition and that they comply with the safety regulations.
Landlords are also legally required to give their tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) after each annual gas safety inspection and test. The certificate should be given to tenants in the 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any 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, their results, any steps required to be taken, and the name and title of the engineer who conducted the check.
The engineer will give advice if the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will include the items that need to be fixed in order to ensure it is safe to use. If an appliance is deemed dangerous immediately or abnormally dangerous the gas supply should be turned off until the issue is resolved.
If a tenant is unwilling to allow access for the gas security checks to be conducted, it is an offence that is criminal. A landlord may apply to the courts for an injunction order if necessary, however it is generally more efficient to simply send a well written letter that explains why it is essential that the checks are conducted and what they will entail. This will encourage a reluctant tenant to let access in, and if otherwise, the landlord could be required to begin the eviction process.
How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
The law requires that landlords and letting agents are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on the chimneys and gas appliances they offer to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe to use and that there aren't gas leaks within the property. Gas inspections are an essential obligation for landlords and they should ensure that they are completed by a qualified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document which confirms that an engineer has completed a gas inspection within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and should also be given to the tenant to verify the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months and has to be renewed annually.
If a landlord does not provide their tenants with the Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be fined by the local authority. It is therefore vital for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out on time and to keep a copy the documents in the event that a tenant asks for it.
gas safety certificate price is also a good idea for landlords to put inspection hatches on all gas appliances to allow engineers to easily access them for annual inspections. The engineer will classify the appliance as being at-risk and may recommend that tenants stop using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords are also required to provide their tenants with at least 24 hours' notice prior entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This gives tenants time to prepare for the visit and grant permission if necessary. If a tenant does not permit the engineer to enter the landlord must inform them why it is necessary and what will happen in the event that they do not comply. If the tenant still refuses then the landlord should think about evicting them under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if I don't get a Gas Safety Certificate?
In short, it's a landlord's legal duty to ensure their property has an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move in. Failure to adhere to this law could result in the landlord being charged or fined severely. The regulations state that landlords are required to provide copies of the gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord to conduct an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, a Gas Safe registered engineer will identify any issues that could pose a danger to tenants. They will then issue a CP12 gas safety document, that is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is a crucial document that every tenant should keep. It contains information on the gas installations of the rental property as well as information about when they were last tested and when they expire. It will help tenants recognize problems with appliances or installations and make sure they know how to contact a Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.
Landlords are required to provide the gas safety report to their tenants, both current and new, within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. They must also provide a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy commences. Landlords who fail to provide the copy of the gas certificate may be charged and face unlimited fines or even six months in prison.
Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms. They can also arrange for them to be tested every month. If an alarm is not working, the landlord must repair it. This applies to councils, private landlords, and housing associations, as well as licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017 the High Court ruled that it was illegal for landlords to issue Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official gas Safety Certificate. The ruling was in accordance with the law that states that landlords of assured shorthold tenancies must obtain an approved gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move into.
How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that gas appliances, flues, and pipework in the homes they lease out are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. To comply with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks of all gas appliances and flues they provide for use in the property. This is known as a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and must be signed by a licensed Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also think about conducting a boiler inspection simultaneously with a CP12 inspection. This will ensure that the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Gas engineers can provide the combination CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable price. They will check the seals of boiler burners as well as look for leaks and cracks in the flue system and clean the heat exchanger, and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 is often referred to by the term "landlord's gas safety certificate" but it's actually called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of the safety checks, as well as specifics of any issues or actions that must be taken care of. Landlords must provide their tenants a CP12 document no later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is essential that landlords and letting agents only permit Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and for maintenance. It is essential to inform tenants about the importance of allowing gas engineers access to their property and explain that the engineer is there to protect them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant refuses to allow access, the landlord or agent must explain the legal obligations in writing. They should then visit the property and force entry if necessary.
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 are able to complete the gas safety check efficiently and effectively. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally able to shut off any malfunctioning equipment and can shut off gas lines if necessary.