Waldo Barney

Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

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

If the engineer considers that a particular appliance or installation is imminently dangerous, they will request permission to shut off the supply of gas and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.

What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

A gas safety certificate issued by a landlord is an official document that confirms that all gas appliances and flues within the property that is rented have been checked by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are legally required conduct a gas safety inspection once per year for each rental property they own. The inspection is carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all pipes, appliances, and flues are in good working order and that they comply with safety standards.

Landlords are also required by law to give their tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) at the end of each year's gas safety inspection and test. The certificate should be provided to tenants within 28 days after the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their tenancy.

CP12 is the abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 that was used by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form shows the date of the last gas inspection and test, the results, any issues or actions that need to be addressed, and the name of the person who performed the check.

If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas appliance the engineer will provide advice on what needs to be done to make it safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediate danger or Abnormally Lethal, the gas supply will need to be disconnected until the issue is solved.

If a tenant does not allow access for the gas safety checks to be completed it is a criminal offence. If needed landlords can apply to the courts for an order to enjoin the tenant from preventing the gas safety inspections. However, it is often easier to write a letter that explains why the checks are essential and what will be required. This should convince a tenant who is reluctant to let access in, and in the event that they do not, the landlord might be required to begin the process of eviction.

How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety certificate cost?

Landlords and letting agencies are legally required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on all gas appliances and flues that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and that there aren't gas leaks within the property. Gas inspections are a vital obligation for landlords, and they must ensure they are carried out by a licensed engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the gas safety certificate for landlords Safety Check Record) is a legal document that confirms that the gas inspection was completed by a qualified engineer within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord, and should be provided to the tenant to verify the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months and has to be renewed annually.

A landlord who fails to provide a Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. Gas Safety checks must be performed by landlords on time. They should also keep a copy in case tenants request it.

Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea, since it allows engineers to quickly access the appliances to conduct annual inspections. The engineer will classify the appliance as being at-risk and may suggest that the tenant refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.

Landlords must also give their tenants at least 24 hours' notice prior to entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows tenants time to prepare and ask permission if needed. If a tenant refuses to permit the engineer to enter, the landlord should send a letter to them explaining why it is necessary and what will happen if they don't comply. If the tenant continues to refuse the engineer entry, then the landlord must look into evicting them pursuant to section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.

What is the consequence if you don't possess a Gas Safety Certificate?

In essence, it's the landlord's legal responsibility to ensure that their home has a valid gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move in. Failure to comply with this law can result in a landlord being prosecuted or being fined a significant amount. The regulations also state that a landlord must provide a copy of the gas safety certificate to their tenants upon request.

Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property of the landlord to perform 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 risk to tenants. The engineer will issue an CP12 Gas Safety Document, which is also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).

This is a vital document that every tenant must get a hold of and keep. This document contains information about gas installations in a rental home, including when they were tested and their expiration dates. It will help tenants recognize any issues with their appliances or installation and ensure that they know how to contact an Gas Safe engineer to have them tested.

Landlords must give a gas safety report to their tenants, both new and existing within 28 days of the date that the engineer has visited their property. They must also give a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy commences. Landlords that fail to provide the copy of the gas certificate could be charged and face unlimited fines, or six months in prison.

In the same way, landlords must make sure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms. They can also arrange that they be tested each month. The landlord is responsible for repairing the problem if the alarm does not work. The rules governing this apply to council, private, and housing association landlords, and also to licensable houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

In June 2017 the High Court ruled that it was illegal for landlords to send Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official gas Safety Certificate. The decision was based on the law that stipulates that landlords with assured shorthold leases must have an approved gas safety certificate for their property before tenants move into the property.

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

Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that gas appliances, flues, and pipework in the properties they rent out are safe. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To comply with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks on 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 having a boiler inspection done at the same time as an CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are working properly and safely. Landlords can usually get a combined CP12 and boiler service for an affordable price from a professional gas engineer. They will be able to check the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for leaks and cracks, clean the heat exchanger and burner and perform general maintenance.

The CP12 document is commonly known as the 'landlord's gas safety certificate', although it is officially called the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of safety inspections, and specifics of any issues or actions that need to be taken care of. Landlords must provide their tenants the CP12 document within 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.

It is crucial that the landlords or letting agents permit Gas Safe registered engineers to visit the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It is a good idea to inform tenants about the necessity of allowing access, and explain that the gas engineer is there to help keep them safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant refuses to permit access the agent or landlord must explain the legal obligations in writing. They should then go to the property and force entry if needed.

Tenants must always request to see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to they allow them into the home to prove that they're competent to work on the gas systems in your home and can be trusted to complete the gas safety test efficiently and effectively. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas safety certificates engineer is legally permitted to shut off any malfunctioning equipment and cut off your gas supplies when necessary.