Lorene Baldwin

Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

As an owner, it is your responsibility to ensure all gas appliances, flues and chimneys are inspected annually. It is also your responsibility to provide a copy to your tenants.

If the engineer believes that any appliance or installation is immediate danger, they will request permission to cut off gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.

What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

A landlord gas safety certificate is a document which demonstrates that the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been examined by a certified gas engineer. Landlords are legally obliged to arrange a gas safety check annually for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and ensure that all pipes, appliances and flues conform with safety regulations.

Landlords are also legally required to provide their tenants with an original copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) at the end of each year's gas safety inspection and test. This should be given to tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their lease.

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

If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance the engineer will provide advice on what needs to be done to ensure its safe use. If a gas appliance is found to be Immediately Dangerous or Abnormally Lethal, the gas supply will have to be shut off until the issue has been solved.

If a tenant is unwilling to permit access to the gas safety checks to be carried out the tenant is guilty of an infraction that is punishable by law. If needed landlords can apply to the courts for an order to stop the tenant from preventing the gas safety certificates safety inspections. However, it is more common to write a letter that clarifies why the checks are essential and what will be involved. This should entice a tenant who is reluctant to allow access to the property. If not the landlord has to start the eviction procedure.

How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords and letting agents are required by law to conduct an annual gas safety check on all flues and gas appliances that are supplied to their tenants. This is to ensure that the equipment is safe for them to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks in the property. This is a crucial responsibility for landlords and they should make sure that they get their gas inspections done by a licensed gas engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is legal document that confirms that the gas inspection was completed by a qualified engineer in the last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord, and should be handed over to the tenant as proof of the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and needs to be renewed each 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. It is therefore essential for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out at a timely basis and to keep a copy of the documents in case a tenant requests it.

Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea because it lets engineers gain access to the appliances for annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be at risk during an inspection the engineer will classify it as such and will shut off the boiler and advise that the tenant refrain from using it 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 gives tenants time to prepare and request permission if they need. If a tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer entry the landlord should send a letter to them explaining the reason for the visit and what will happen in the event that they do not comply. If the tenant continues to refuse then the landlord should think about evicting them under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.

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

It is the legal responsibility of landlords to ensure that their property is equipped with an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move in. Infractions to this law can result in the landlord gas safety certificates being prosecuted or fined heavily. The regulations state that landlords must also provide copies of the gas safety records to their tenants upon request.

Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property of the landlord in order to perform a gas inspection on all gas appliances. During the inspection, a Gas Safe registered engineer will be able to identify any issues that could pose a risk to tenants. They will then issue a 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. This document contains information about gas installations in a rental property and the dates they were tested and their expiration dates. It can assist tenants in identifying issues with their appliances and installations and make sure that they know how to contact the Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.

Landlords must give the gas safety report to their tenants, both current and new within 28 days of the date that 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 do not provide a copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted under the rules and face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.

In the same way, landlords must make sure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange for them to be tested every month. If the alarm isn't working, the landlord must repair it. This is applicable to councils, private landlords, 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 ruling was based on the law that requires landlords with assured shorthold leases to obtain a gas safety certification for their property prior to the time tenants move into it.

How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords are legally responsible for ensuring that gas appliances, flues and pipework in the homes they lease out are safe. homeowner gas safety certificate Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. To ensure compliance with the regulations landlords must 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. It must be filled out by a licensed Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.

Landlords should also think about having a boiler inspection done in conjunction with the CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Landlords can typically receive a combination CP12 and boiler service at an affordable cost from a professional gas engineer. They will be able to check the seals on boiler burners, inspect the flue system for cracks and leaks, clean the heat exchanger and burner and carry out general maintenance.

The CP12 document is often called the 'landlord's gas safety certificate', but it is actually the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of safety tests, as well as details of any problems or actions that must 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 landlords and letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and for maintenance. It's important to educate tenants on the importance of permitting gas engineers access to the property. They should explain that the engineer's presence is necessary to protect them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant refuses to permit access the agent or landlord must outline the legal obligations in writing. Then, they should visit the property and force entry if required.

Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before they are allowed to enter the property. This will confirm that the engineer is competent to work on the systems in your home and can therefore be trusted to carry out the safety inspection. Be aware that a gas technician can legally shut off defective equipment or shut off your gas supply if needed.