Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As an owner, it is your responsibility to ensure all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys undergo annual checks. It is also your responsibility to provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer believes that any installation or appliance is immediate danger the engineer will request permission to disconnect gas supply and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A landlord gas safety certificate is a document that demonstrates that all the gas appliances and flues have been examined by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords must arrange a gas check for each rental property that they own at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry out the inspection and check that all pipework, appliances and flues comply with safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) after every annual inspection and test for gas safety. The certificate should be given to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the beginning of their tenure.
CP12 is the abbreviation used 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 as well as the results of these tests, any issues or actions that need to be addressed, as well as the name of the person who performed the inspection.
The engineer will provide advice on the spot if the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will include the items that need to be addressed in order to ensure it is safe to use. If an appliance is deemed Immediately Dangerous, or Abnormally dangerous the gas supply needs to be shut off until the issue is fixed.
If a tenant does not allow access for 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 a court order to stop the tenant from preventing gas safety checks. However, it's more common to send a letter which explains why the checks are important and what's involved. This should entice tenants who are hesitant to let access to the property. If not, the landlord will need to begin the eviction process.
How often should I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agents are required by law to carry out an annual gas safety check on all flues and gas appliances that they provide to tenants. This is to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and that there are no gas leaks in the property. Gas inspections are a vital obligation for landlords and they must ensure that they are conducted by a certified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is an official document that proves that a gas inspection has been performed by a licensed engineer in the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and must also be given to the tenant in order to demonstrate the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months, and must 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. It is therefore vital for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out in a timely manner and to keep a copy the certificate in case a tenant requests it.
Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea, since it allows engineers to gain access to the appliances for annual inspections. The engineer will categorise the appliance as 'at-risk' and may recommend that the tenant refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords are also required to provide their tenants with at least 24 hours' notice before entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows tenants time to prepare and ask permission if they need. If a tenant does not allow entry to the engineer the landlord must explain the reason why it is necessary and what will happen if the tenant refused. If the tenant continues to refuse then the landlord should consider evicting them using section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if www.mkgassafety.co.uk don't own a Gas Safety Certificate?
In short it's the landlord's legal responsibility to ensure that their property is equipped with a valid gas safety certification before tenants move in. Failure to adhere to this law can result in the landlord being charged or being fined a significant amount. The regulations also stipulate that a landlord must provide an electronic copy of the gas safety record to their tenants on request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord to perform an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will note any problems that could pose a risk to tenants. They will then issue the 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 get a hold of and keep. It contains information on the gas installations in the rental property, as well as details on when they were last tested and their expiry dates. It can assist tenants in identifying issues with their appliances and installations and ensure that they know how to contact an Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.
Landlords are required to provide their current and new tenants with a gas safety check report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. The landlord must also provide the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenancy. Landlords who fail in providing the the gas certificate can be prosecuted and face unlimited fines or six months in prison.
Similar to this landlords must make sure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their homes and arrange for them being tested every month. The landlord is accountable for repairing an alarm that does not work. 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 by reference to the law which states that landlords of assured shorthold tenancies must have an approved gas safety certificate for their property before tenants move in.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords have a legal responsibility to make sure that the gas appliances, flues and pipework in their properties are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 regulate this. In order to comply with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas inspections on all the gas appliances and flues that they provide for use in the building. This is known as a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and it must be signed by a licensed Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also consider conducting a boiler inspection at the same time as the CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Gas engineers can provide an integrated CP12 inspection and boiler service for a reasonable price. They will inspect the seals of boiler burners, inspect for cracks and leaks in the flue system and clean the heat exchanger, and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 document is often called the 'landlord's gas safety certificate', however, it is officially referred to as the Gas Safety Record documentation. It outlines the outcomes of all safety inspections and the details of any actions or issues that require attention. Landlords are required to give tenants a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
It's important that landlords or letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises for safety checks and maintenance. It's important to educate tenants on the importance of giving gas engineers access to the property and explain that the engineer's presence is necessary to protect them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant refuses to allow access, the landlord or agent must outline the legal obligations in writing. They should then go to the property and force entry if required.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to they are allowed to enter the property. This will confirm that the engineer is competent to work with your home's systems and therefore be trusted to carry out the safety check. It is also important to know that a gas technician can legally disconnect defective equipment or shut off your gas supply if needed.