Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As an owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys undergo annual inspections. The law also requires you provide a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer deems any appliance or installation to be immediately dangerous they will ask for permission to disconnect the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches are installed.
What is an 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 must arrange an annual gas inspection for each rental property that they own at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and verify that all pipes, appliances and flues are in compliance with safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record), following each 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 new tenants at the beginning of their tenure.
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 lists the date of the last gas inspection and tests and the results of these, any issues or actions that need to be addressed, and the name of the engineer who carried out the test.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas appliance the engineer will provide advice on what must be done to make it safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be Immediately Dangerous, or Abnormally dangerous the gas supply should be disconnected until the problem has been resolved.
It is a crime for a tenant to refuse to let the gas safety inspection to be conducted. A landlord can ask the courts for an injunction if necessary, however it is generally more efficient to simply send a strongly written letter that explains the reason why the checks are carried out and what they will entail. This can convince a tenant who is reluctant to allow access and, in the event that they do not, the landlord may have to think about starting the eviction process.
How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
In the law, landlords and agents for letting are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on all gas appliances and chimneys that they provide to their tenants. This is done to ensure that the equipment is safe for them to use and that there are no gas leaks in the property. Gas inspections are an essential responsibility for landlords, and they must ensure that they are completed by a certified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document that confirms that an engineer has completed a gas inspection in the last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord and must be handed over to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months and must be renewed every year.
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 crucial for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out in a timely manner and to keep a copy of the documentation in case a tenant requests it.
It is also an excellent idea for landlords to install inspection hatches on all gas appliances to allow engineers to easily access the hatches for annual inspections. The engineer will label the appliance as 'at-risk' and may suggest that tenants stop using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords are also required to give tenants at least 24 hours' notice before entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows tenants to prepare and request permission if they need. If a tenant does not allow entry to the engineer, the landlord must explain the reason for this and what will happen if the tenant refused. 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 happens if I don't receive 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 prior to the time tenants move in. Failure to adhere to this law can result in the landlord being charged or fined severely. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must provide an original copy of their gas safety report to their tenants on request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord to perform an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will take note of any issues that may cause a threat to tenants. They will issue the CP12 gas safety certificate which is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is a crucial document that every tenant must keep. It contains information on the gas installations of a rental property as well as information regarding when they last checked and the expiry dates. It will help tenants recognize any issues with the appliances or installation and ensure that they know how to contact an Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords are required to provide their new and current tenants with a gas safety check report within 28 days of the engineer's visit to their property. The landlord must also provide a copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenancy. Landlords who fail to provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted in accordance with the regulations and could face unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.
Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange that they be tested each month. The landlord is responsible for fixing an alarm that does not work. This is the case for councils, private landlords, and housing associations as well as licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was unlawful for landlords to send Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid gas Safety Certificate. The decision was made in accordance with the law that states that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must obtain an approved gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move in.
How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that the gas appliances, flues, and pipework within their properties are safe for tenants. 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 of all gas appliances and flues they provide for use in the property. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and it must be completed by a certified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also think about having a boiler inspection done in conjunction with an CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are working properly and safely. Gas engineers can offer an integrated CP12 inspection and boiler service for a reasonable price. They will examine the seals of boiler burners, inspect for leaks and cracks within the flue system and clean the heat exchanger, and perform 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 the details of any actions or issues that need to be addressed. Landlords must give their tenants a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
It is crucial that landlords and letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and for maintenance. It's a good idea to educate tenants on the necessity of allowing access, and explaining that the gas engineer is there to help keep them safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If a tenant is hesitant to permit access it is the landlord's or letting agent's duty to explain the legal responsibilities in writing, and follow up with a visit to the property to force entry if needed.
Tenants should always ask to see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to entering the premises to prove that they're qualified to work on your home's gas systems and can be trusted to complete the gas safety inspection efficiently and efficiently. please click for source is also important to know that a gas technician can legally remove faulty equipment or cut off your gas supply should it be required.