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. It is also your responsibility to give a copy of the report to your tenants.

If the engineer believes that a particular appliance or installation is immediate danger, they will request permission to cut off gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.

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

A landlord's gas safety certificate is an official document that confirms that all gas appliances and flues within the property that is rented have been checked by an experienced gas engineer. The landlord must arrange for an annual gas inspection for each rental property that they own at least once per year. The inspection is conducted by an Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all of the pipework, appliances, and flues are in good working order and in compliance with safety standards.

The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record), following 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 new tenants at the start of their tenancy.

CP12 is an abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 which was used by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form contains the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, the results, any actions that need to be taken, as well as the name and name of the engineer that conducted the test.

If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas appliance, the engineer will advise on what should be done to ensure its safe use. If a device is deemed Immediately Dangerous, or Abnormally lethal the gas supply should be disconnected until the problem has been resolved.

If a tenant does not permit access to the gas safety checks to be carried out it is an offence that is criminal. A landlord safety certificate can ask the courts for an injunction order if necessary, however it is generally easier to simply send a strongly written letter that explains the reason why the checks are carried out and what they will entail. This should convince a tenant who is reluctant to allow access and, in the event that they do i need a gas safety certificate not, the landlord might have to think about starting the process of eviction.

How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?

By law, landlords and let agents are required by law to conduct an annual safety check of all gas appliances and chimneys that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe to use and that there aren't any gas leaks within the property. This is a crucial obligation and landlords must ensure that they have their gas inspections completed by a licensed gas engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is an official document that proves that a gas inspection has been conducted by a qualified engineer within the past 12 months. It is given to the landlord and should be provided to the tenant as proof of the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months, and must be renewed annually.

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

Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea, since it allows engineers to quickly access the appliances for their annual inspections. The engineer will label the appliance as 'at-risk' and may recommend that tenants stop using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.

Landlords must also provide their tenants with at least 24 hours' notice prior entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This will allow tenants to prepare for the visit and grant permission, if required. If a tenant does not allow the engineer's entry the landlord has to explain why this is necessary and what will happen in the event that the tenant refuses. If the tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord could consider evicting the tenant under section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.

What happens if I don't get a Gas Safety Certificate?

In essence it's the landlord safety certificate's legal responsibility to ensure that their home has a valid gas safety certificate before tenants move into. Failure to comply with the law can lead to a landlord being prosecuted or fined severely. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must give an electronic copy of the gas safety certificate to their tenants upon request.

Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to conduct an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will identify any issues that could pose a danger to tenants. The engineer will issue an CP12 Gas Safety Document, also known as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).

This is an important piece of documentation that every tenant should take possession of and Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service keep. This document provides information on gas installations in a rental property as well as the date they were tested as well as their expiration dates. It can assist tenants in identifying issues with their appliances or installations and make sure that they know how contact an Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.

Landlords are required to provide their new and current tenants with a gas safety check report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. They must also give a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy begins. Landlords who fail to provide a copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted under the rules and face unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.

Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms. They should also arrange that they be tested each month. If the alarm isn't working, the landlord must repair it. This is the case for private landlords, councils and housing associations as well as licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation.

In June 2017 the High Court ruled that it was illegal 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 stipulates that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must obtain an approved gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move into.

How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

Landlords are legally responsible for ensuring that gas appliances, flues and pipework in the properties they rent out are safe. This is covered by 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 to tenants. This is known as 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 at the same time as the 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 at a reasonable cost. They will inspect the boiler burner's seals 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 often referred to as the 'landlord 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 the 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 is essential that landlords and letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property for safety inspections and maintenance. It's a good idea inform tenants about the necessity of allowing access, and explain that the gas engineer is there to ensure they are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to allow access the agent or landlord must outline the legal obligations in writing. Then, they should visit the property and force entry if necessary.

Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before allowing them to enter the property. This will prove that the engineer is qualified to work on the systems in your home and can therefore be trusted to conduct the safety check. It is also important to know that a gas engineer is able to legally remove defective equipment or shut off the gas supply in case of need.