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. The law also requires you give a copy of the check to your tenants.

If the engineer determines that a particular appliance or installation is imminently dangerous they will ask permission to disconnect the supply of gas and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.

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

A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that demonstrates that all of the gas appliances in the rental property and flues have been examined by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are legally required conduct a gas safety inspection once per year for each rental property they own. The inspection is performed by an Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all of the pipework, appliances, and flues are in good working condition and that they comply with safety regulations.

The law also requires landlords to give tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) at the time of each annual inspection and test for gas safety. The certificate should be provided to tenants within 28 days after the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their tenancy.

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 outlines the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their results, any steps required to be taken, and the name and the title of the engineer 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 outline what needs to be corrected to make it safe to use. If an appliance is deemed to be Immediately Dangerous or Abnormally Lethal, the gas supply must be disconnected until the issue is resolved.

It is a crime to a tenant who refuses to allow the gas safety inspection to be conducted. If needed the landlord has the right to ask the courts for a court order to enjoin the tenant from preventing gas safety inspections. However, it is more common to write a letter that explains why the checks are important and what's required. This will encourage a reluctant tenant to give access, and if not, the landlord may be required to begin the eviction process.

How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords and letting agencies are required by law to carry out an annual gas safety inspection on all gas appliances and flues that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and there are no leaks of gas in the property. Gas inspections are a vital responsibility for landlords, and they must ensure that they are carried out by a certified 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 given to the landlord, and should be given 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 is unable to provide their tenants with the Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be penalized by the local authority. It is therefore crucial for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out at a timely basis and to keep a copy the certificate in case a tenant requests it.

It is also a good idea for landlords to install inspection hatches on all gas appliances so that engineers can easily access them for inspections every year. If the appliance is found to be in danger during an inspection, the engineer will formally categorise it as such and will shut off the boiler and suggest that the tenant refrain from using it until the inspection hatch is installed.

The landlords should also ensure that they provide their tenants with a minimum of 24 hours notice before they visit the property to conduct Gas Safety checks. This will allow tenants to prepare for the visit and provide permission if needed. If a tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer entry, the landlord should inform them the reason for the visit and what will happen in the event that they do i need a gas safety certificate not comply. If the tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer entry, the landlord could decide to evict the tenant under section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.

What happens if you don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?

It is the legal responsibility of a landlord to ensure that their property is fitted with an official gas safety certificate that is valid prior to the time tenants move in. Failure to comply with this law could result in the landlord being prosecuted or fined heavily. The regulations also state that landlords must provide an original copy of their gas safety certificate to their tenants on request.

Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord to conduct a gas inspection on all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will take note of any issues that could present a danger for tenants. They will issue the CP12 gas safety certificate, which is known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.

This is an important document that every tenant should keep. This document provides information on gas installations in a rental property, including when they were tested and expiration dates. It can help tenants spot any issues with their appliances or installations and make sure that they are aware of how to contact a Gas Safe engineer to have them checked.

Landlords must provide a gas safety report to their tenants, both current and new within 28 days of the date that the engineer has visited their property. The landlord must also provide the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenure. Landlords that fail to provide the the gas certificate may be charged and face unlimited fines or six months in prison.

In the same way landlords must ensure that carbon monoxide detectors work in their homes and make arrangements for them to be checked every month. If an alarm is not working, the landlord must fix 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 unlawful for landlords to serve Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid gas safety certificate homeowner Safety Certificate. The ruling was based on a law that requires landlords with assured shorthold leases to obtain a gas safety certificate for their property before tenants move in.

How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords are required by law to make sure that the gas appliances, flues and pipework in their properties are safe for tenants. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To comply with the regulations, landlords are required to arrange annual gas safety certificate near me checks on all gas appliances and flues they install in the property. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be filled out by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.

It is also an excellent idea for landlords to look into having an annual boiler service performed at the same time as the CP12 inspection, as it will help ensure that all gas appliances are working correctly and safely. Gas engineers can provide the combination CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable cost. They will examine the seals of boiler burners and look for leaks and cracks in the flue system and clean the heat exchanger, and perform general maintenance.

The CP12 is sometimes known as "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it is actually known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of the safety checks, as well as details of any problems or actions that should be addressed. Landlords are required to give 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 only allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It's a good idea inform tenants of the importance of allowing access and explaining that the gas engineer is there to help keep them safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant does not allow access, the landlord or agent must explain the legal obligations in writing. They should then go to the property and force entry if needed.

Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before entering the property. This will confirm that the engineer has the necessary qualifications to work with your home's systems and can therefore be trusted to perform the safety inspection. It's also worth bearing in mind that the gas engineer is legally able to disconnect faulty equipment and can cut off gas lines when necessary.