Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure 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 determines that an appliance or installation as being immediately dangerous, they will ask for permission to disconnect the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches be installed.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate issued by a landlord is an official document that certifies that all gas appliances and flues in the property that is rented have been checked by an experienced gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange a gas check for each rental property that they have at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and ensure that all pipes, appliances and flues conform with safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to give tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) after every annual inspection and test for gas safety. This should be provided to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the beginning of their tenancy.
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 identifies the date of the last gas inspection and tests and the results of these tests, any issues or actions that need to be addressed, and the name of the person who performed the test.
The engineer will offer advice on the spot if the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will include the items that need to be addressed to make it safe to use. If a gas appliance is found to be Immediately Dangerous, or Abnormally dangerous the gas supply needs to be shut off until the issue is resolved.
It is illegal to a tenant who refuses to allow the gas safety test to be conducted. A landlord can apply to the courts for an injunction if necessary, however it is generally easier to simply send a well worded letter explaining why it is essential that the checks are carried out and what they'll involve. This should entice the tenant who is hesitant to let access to the property. If not the landlord has to start the eviction procedure.
How often should I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
By law, landlords and let agents are required by law to conduct an annual gas safety inspection of all chimneys and gas appliances 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 an essential obligation for landlords, and they must ensure that they are carried out by a licensed engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is an official document that proves that the gas inspection was completed by a qualified engineer in the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord, and should also be given to the tenant to verify the safety of gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months and has to be renewed each year.
A landlord who does not provide an Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. It is therefore vital for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out on time and keep a copy of the documentation in the event that a tenant asks for it.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to install inspection hatches on all gas appliances, so that the engineers can easily access the hatches for annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be 'at risk' during an inspection, the engineer will formally declare it to be at risk and shut off the boiler and suggest that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords must also give tenants at least 24 hours' notice prior entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows tenants time to plan their inspection and request permission if needed. If a tenant is unwilling to permit the engineer to enter, the landlord should write to them explaining why the engineer is required and what will happen if they don't comply. If the tenant continues to refuse, then the landlord should think about evicting them under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if I don't get a Gas Safety Certificate?
In essence it's the landlord's legal responsibility to ensure that their property is equipped with a valid gas safety certification prior to the time tenants move into. Failure to do this is an offence that can cause landlords to be punished with severe fines. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must provide a copy of the gas safety certificate to their tenants on request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property of the landlord to conduct a gas inspection on all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will take note of any issues that may present a danger for tenants. They will then issue the CP12 gas safety certificate that is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is a crucial document that every tenant must get a hold of and keep. It contains information about the gas installations of a rental property and also details about when they were last checked and the expiry dates. It can assist tenants in identifying issues with their appliances or installations and ensure that they know how to contact a Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.
Landlords must give an inspection report on gas safety to their tenants, new and existing within 28 days of the date that the engineer has visited their property. They must also provide a copy the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy begins. Landlords that fail to provide the copy of the gas certificate can be charged and face unlimited fines, or six months in prison.
Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms. They can also arrange that they be tested each month. If the alarm is not working, the landlord should repair it. The rules around this are applicable to council, private, and housing association landlords as well as to licensable houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In June 2017 In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was illegal for landlords to issue Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official Gas Safety Certificate. The decision was based upon the law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold leases to obtain a gas safety certification for their property before tenants move in.
How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that the gas appliances, flues and pipework in their properties are safe for tenants. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To comply with the regulations landlords must conduct annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues that they install for use in the property. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be filled out by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It is also a good idea for landlords to look into having the boiler service completed in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, as this will ensure that all gas appliances are working correctly and safely. Gas engineers can provide an integrated CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable price. gas safety certificate cost will check the seals on boiler burners and look for leaks and cracks in the flue system, clean the heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 document is often known as the 'landlord's gas safety certificate', however, it is officially referred to as the Gas Safety Record documentation. It outlines the outcomes of all the safety checks and details of any actions or problems that need to be resolved. Landlords must give their 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 permit Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It is crucial to educate tenants on the importance of giving gas engineers access to their property and explain that the engineer's presence is necessary to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to let access in it is the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility clarify the legal obligations in writing, and follow by visiting the property to force entry if necessary.
Tenants must always request to be shown a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before letting them in, as this will prove that they are properly qualified to work on your home's gas systems and is able to complete the gas safety inspection efficiently and efficiently. It's important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally allowed to shut off any malfunctioning equipment and cut off your gas supply when necessary.