Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

As a landlord it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances chimneys, flues and chimneys are regularly inspected. The law also requires you give a copy of the check to your tenants.

If the engineer considers that a particular appliance or installation is immediately dangerous they will ask permission to shut off the supply of gas and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.

What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

A gas safety certificate issued by a landlord is an official document that proves that all gas appliances and flues that are in the property that is rented were inspected by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are legally required to arrange a gas safety check every year for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry out the inspection and check that all pipes, appliances and flues comply with safety regulations.

The law also requires landlords to give tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record), following every annual inspection and test for gas safety. The certificate should be provided to tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start 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 contains the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, the results, any actions that must be taken, as well as the name and the title of the engineer that conducted the inspection.

If the gas safety certificate duplicate Safety check highlights any problems with a gas appliance and the engineer will give advice on what should be done to ensure its safe use. If an appliance is deemed to be immediately dangerous or abnormally lethal, the gas supply will have to be shut off until the issue has been resolved.

It is illegal for a tenant to refuse to let the gas safety inspection to be conducted. A landlord can apply to the courts for an injunction in the event of need, but it is usually much easier to send a clearly written letter that explains the reason why the checks are made and what they will involve. This will encourage tenants who are hesitant to allow access to the house. If not, the landlord will need to begin the eviction process.

How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?

The law requires that landlords and agents for letting are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection of the chimneys and gas appliances that they provide 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 vitally important obligation and landlords must ensure that they get their gas inspections done by a certified gas engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is a legal document that confirms that an inspection of the gas supply has been conducted by a qualified engineer in the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and must be provided to the tenant to verify the safety of gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months, and must be renewed each year.

A landlord who is unable to provide an Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. Gas Safety checks must be completed by landlords in time. They should also keep a copy in case tenants ask for it.

Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea as it allows engineers to gain access to the appliances to conduct annual inspections. The engineer will label the appliance as 'at-risk' and may suggest that tenants refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.

Landlords should also make sure that they provide their tenants with a minimum of 24 hours notice prior to when they are allowed to enter the property to perform Gas Safety checks. This gives tenants time to prepare for the visit and provide permission, if required. If a tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer entry the landlord should inform them why it is necessary and what will happen if they don't comply. If the tenant is still refusing then the landlord should consider evicting them using section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.

What is the consequence if I don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?

It is the legal obligation of landlords to ensure that their property is fitted with a gas safety certificate valid before tenants move into. Failure to do this is an offence that can lead to landlords being punished with severe fines. The regulations also state that a landlord must provide a copy of the gas safety report to their tenants on request.

Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to conduct a gas check on all gas appliances. During the inspection, the engineer will note any issues that could cause a threat for tenants. They will then issue an 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 take possession of and keep. It includes information about the gas appliances in a rental property, as well as details regarding when they last tested and when they expire. It will help tenants recognize issues with their appliances and installations and make sure that they know how to contact the Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.

Landlords are required to provide their current and new tenants with a gas safety report within 28 days of the engineer visiting their property. The landlord gas safety certificates must also give an original copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenancy. Landlords that fail to provide the copy of the gas certificate could be charged and face unlimited fines or even six months in prison.

The same way, landlords should ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their properties and make arrangements for them to be tested each month. The landlord is responsible for repairing the problem if the alarm does not work. The rules for this apply to private, council and housing association landlords as well as 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 decision was based upon the law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to have a gas safety certificate for their property prior to when tenants move into it.

how often gas safety certificate can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that gas appliances, flues, and pipework within the properties they rent out are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 regulate this. To be in compliance with the regulations landlords must conduct annual gas checks of all gas appliances and flues they provide for use in the property. This is known as a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and must be completed by a qualified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.

Landlords should also consider performing 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 at a reasonable price. They will inspect the seals on boiler burners as well as look for cracks and leaks in the flue system, clean the heat exchanger, and carry out 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 lists the results of all safety inspections and details of any actions or problems that require attention. 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 the landlords or letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises for safety checks and maintenance. It is a good idea to educate tenants on the necessity of allowing access, and explaining that the gas engineer will help keep them safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to allow access, the landlord or agent must state the legal requirements in writing. Then, they should visit the property and force entry if required.

Tenants should always ask to have a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to entering the premises to ensure that they're competent to work on your home's gas systems and are able to complete the gas safety test efficiently and effectively. Be aware that a gas engineer is able to legally remove faulty equipment or cut off your gas supply should it be required.