Entrada del blog por Aleisha Greenberg
Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As an owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas certificate appliances, flues and chimneys are inspected annually. The law also requires you provide a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer considers an device or installation to be immediately hazardous, they will request permission to disconnect the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches are installed.
what is gas safety certificate is what is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that demonstrates that all of the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been checked by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are legally obliged to arrange a gas safety check every year for each rental property they own. The inspection is performed by an Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all of the pipework, appliances, and flues are in good working condition and that they are in compliance with the safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to give tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) at the time of 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 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) prior to being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form shows the date of the last gas inspection and test, the results of these tests, any actions or issues that need to be addressed, and the name of the person who performed the inspection.
The engineer will offer advice in the event that the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will include what needs to be addressed so that it is safe for use. If an appliance is deemed to be immediately dangerous or Abnormally Lethal the gas supply will need to be turned off until the problem is fixed.
If a tenant refuses to permit access to the gas security checks to be conducted it is an offence that is criminal. A landlord can apply to the courts for an injunction in the event of need, but it is generally more efficient to send a clearly worded letter explaining the reason why the checks are made and what they will entail. This will encourage a tenant who is reluctant to allow access to the house. If not the landlord has to begin the eviction process.
How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
The landlords and letting agencies are required by law to carry out an annual gas safety check on all gas appliances and flues that they provide to tenants. This is to ensure that the equipment is safe to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks in the property. This is a crucial obligation and landlords must be sure to are inspected for gas by a certified gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document that affirms that an engineer has completed a gas check within the last 12 months. It is given to the landlord gas safety certificate price and should be given to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months, and has to be renewed annually.
If a landlord is unable to provide their tenants with an Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be penalized by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be completed by landlords in time. They should also keep a copy in case tenants request it.
Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea, because it lets engineers easily access the appliances for annual inspections. The engineer will classify the appliance as 'at-risk' and may recommend that tenants refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords must also ensure that they give their tenants at least 24 hours notice before they visit the property to perform Gas Safety checks. This allows tenants to plan their inspection and request permission, if required. If a tenant refuses the engineer's entry, the landlord must explain the reason for this and what would happen if the tenant refused. If the tenant does not allow the engineer entry, the landlord can think about evicting the tenant in accordance with section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if you don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal obligation of a landlord to make sure that their property is fitted with a gas safety certificate valid before tenants move into. Failure to adhere to this law could result in the landlord being charged or fined heavily. The regulations also state that landlords must provide a copy of the gas safety record to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property for a gas check on all gas appliances. During the inspection, a Gas Safe registered engineer will identify any issues that could be a threat to tenants. They will issue an CP12 gas safety certificate which is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is an important document that every tenant must keep. It includes information about the gas installations in a rented property and also details on when they were last tested and when they expire. It can help tenants identify issues with their appliances or installations and make sure that they know how contact the Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.
Landlords are required to provide their tenants, both new and existing, with a gas safety inspection report within 28 days of the engineer's visit to their property. They must also provide a copy the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy starts. Landlords who do not provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted under the rules and could face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms. They can also arrange that they be tested every month. If an alarm is not functioning, the landlord has to fix it. The rules around this apply to council, private and housing association landlords, as well as to licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In June 2017, the High Court decided that it was unlawful for landlords to issue Section 21 notices if they did not provide their tenants with an official gas safety certificate. The ruling was based on the law that states that landlords of assured shorthold tenancies must obtain a gas safety record for their property before tenants move into.
how long does a gas safety certificate last do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that gas appliances, flues and pipework in the properties they lease are safe. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To comply with the regulations landlords are required to conduct annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues they supply for use in a property. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be signed 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, since this will ensure that all gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Landlords are usually able to receive a combination CP12 and boiler service for a reasonable price from a qualified 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 heat exchanger and burner and conduct general maintenance.
The CP12 document is commonly called the 'landlord's gas safety certificate' although it is officially called the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of all the safety checks and details of any actions or issues that require attention. Landlords are required to give their tenants the CP12 document within 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It's important that landlords or letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises 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 duty to explain the legal responsibilities in writing. Then follow by visiting the property to force entry if necessary.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to allowing them to enter the property. This will prove that the engineer is competent to work on the systems in your home and can therefore be trusted to conduct the safety inspection. It is also important to know that a gas engineer can legally disconnect faulty equipment or cut off the gas supply in case of need.