Landlord gas safety certificate and boiler service (click hyperlink)

As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure all gas appliances, flues and chimneys undergo annual inspections. The law also requires you give a copy of the check to your tenants.

If the engineer considers that any installation or appliance is imminently dangerous they will ask permission to shut off 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 an official document that confirms that all gas appliances and flues in the property that is rented were inspected by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords must arrange the gas check for each rental property they own at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and verify that all pipework, appliances and flues conform with safety regulations.

The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) after every annual inspection and test for gas safety. This must be given to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the beginning of their lease.

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 shows the date of the last gas inspection and tests as well as the results of these tests, any issues or actions that need to be addressed, and the name of the person who conducted the check.

The engineer will offer advice in the event that 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 a device is deemed immediately dangerous or abnormally lethal, the gas supply must be turned off until the issue is fixed.

It is illegal to a tenant who refuses to allow the gas safety test to be carried out. A landlord may apply to the courts for an injunction if necessary, however it is generally more efficient to send a clearly written letter stating why it is essential that the checks are made and what they'll involve. This can convince a tenant who is reluctant to allow access and, in the event that they do not, the landlord might have to think about starting the process of eviction.

How often should I get a Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords and letting agencies are legally required to carry out an annual gas safety check on all gas appliances and flues that they supply to tenants. This is to ensure that the equipment is safe to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks in the property. Gas inspections are a vital obligation for landlords, and they must ensure that they are carried out by a qualified engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is a legal document that confirms that the gas inspection was completed by a qualified engineer within the past 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 time of 12 months and has to be renewed each year.

A landlord who is unable to provide the Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. Gas Safety checks must be performed by landlords on time. They must keep a copy in case tenants request it.

It is also a good idea for landlords to put inspection hatches on all gas appliances to allow engineers to easily access the hatches for annual inspections. The engineer will categorise the appliance as being at-risk and may recommend that tenants stop using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.

Landlords must also ensure that they provide their tenants with a minimum of 24 hours notice prior landlord gas safety certificate Price to the time they enter the property to perform Gas Safety checks. This allows the tenants to prepare for the visit and give permission if needed. If a tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry the landlord should inform them why the engineer is required and what happens in the event that they do not comply. If the tenant still refuses the engineer entry, then the landlord must consider evicting them using section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.

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

In essence it's a landlord's legal duty to ensure that their property is equipped with a valid gas safety certificate duplicate safety certification prior to the time tenants move into. Failure to comply with the law can lead to a landlord being prosecuted or fined heavily. The regulations require that landlords are required to provide copies of the gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.

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

This is a vital piece of documentation that every tenant must be able to access and keep. This document contains information about gas installations in rental properties, including when they were tested as well as their expiration dates. It can help tenants spot any issues with the appliances or installations and ensure that they know how to reach a Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.

Landlords are required to provide a gas safety report to their tenants, both new and existing within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. The landlord must also provide an original copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenancy. Landlords who fail to provide the the gas certificate may be prosecuted and face unlimited fines or even six months in prison.

The same way, landlords should ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are in operation in their properties and make arrangements for them to be tested each month. The landlord is responsible for repairing any alarm that doesn't work. This applies to private landlords, councils 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 serve Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid Gas Safety Certificate. The ruling was based on a law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to have an official gas safety certificate for their property prior to when tenants move into it.

how often gas safety certificate do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that the gas appliances, flues, and pipework in their homes are safe for tenants. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To be in compliance with these regulations, landlords must conduct annual gas inspections on all gas appliances and flues they install within the property. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and must be signed by a licensed Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.

It is also an excellent idea for landlords to think about having a boiler service carried out in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, since this will ensure that all gas appliances are working in a safe and efficient manner. Gas engineers can offer a combined CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable price. They will inspect the seals on boiler burners as well as look for leaks and cracks within the flue system, clean the heat exchanger, and carry out general maintenance.

The CP12 document is commonly referred to as the 'landlord gas safety certificate', however, it is officially referred to as the Gas Safety Record documentation. It includes the results of the safety checks, as well as specifics about any issues or actions that must be taken care of. Landlords must provide their tenants a CP12 document no later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.

It is crucial that landlords and letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It's important to educate tenants about the importance of permitting gas engineers access to the property and explain that the engineer is there to protect them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If a tenant is hesitant to let access in it's the landlord's or letting agent's duty to clarify the legal obligations in writing. Then follow with a visit to the property to force entry if necessary.

Tenants should always ask to be shown a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to letting them in, as this will prove that they're competent to work on your home's gas systems and can be trusted to complete the gas safety inspection efficiently and effectively. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally able to cut off any defective equipment and can cut off your gas supplies if necessary.