Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

As an owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys undergo annual inspections. You must also give a copy of the report to your tenants.

If the engineer determines that any appliance or installation is imminently dangerous the engineer will request permission to cut off the supply of gas and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.

What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate?

A gas safety certificate issued by a landlord is an official document that certifies that all gas appliances and flues that are in the property that is rented have been inspected by an experienced gas engineer. Landlords are legally required arrange a gas safety certificate cost safety check annually for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and ensure that all pipes, appliances and flues conform with safety standards.

Landlords are also legally required to give their tenants an original copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) after each annual gas safety inspection and test. The certificate should be provided to tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their tenure.

CP12 is an abbreviation for 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 shows the date of the last gas inspection and test, the results of these tests, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, as well as the name of the engineer who carried out the check.

If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas device and the engineer will give advice on what must be done to ensure its safe use. If a device is deemed dangerous immediately or abnormally lethal the gas supply should be disconnected until the problem is fixed.

It is a crime to a tenant who refuses to allow the gas safety test to be carried out. If needed, a landlord can ask the courts for a court order to stop the tenant from refusing to allow gas safe certificate check safety inspections. However, it's often easier to send a letter which describes why the check is important and what's required. This should encourage the tenant who is hesitant to allow access to the property. If not, the landlord will need to start the eviction procedure.

how long does a gas safety certificate last often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?

The law requires that 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 the equipment is safe for them to use and that there are no gas leaks within the property. Gas inspections are a crucial obligation for landlords, and they must ensure that they are conducted by a certified engineer.

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

If a landlord fails to provide their tenants with an Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service could be penalized by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be carried out by landlords on time. They must keep a copy in case tenants ask for it.

Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea since it allows engineers to gain access to the appliances to conduct annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be 'at risk' during an inspection the engineer will declare it to be at risk and shut off the boiler and suggest that the tenant refrain from using it until the inspection hatch has been installed.

The landlords should also ensure that they provide their tenants with a minimum of 24 hours notice prior to when they enter the property to conduct Gas Safety checks. This allows tenants to prepare and ask permission if they need. If a tenant refuses to allow the engineer access the landlord should inform them why the engineer is required and what will happen if they don't follow through. If the tenant does not allow the engineer entry, the landlord may think about evicting the tenant in accordance with section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.

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

It is the legal obligation of a landlord to ensure that their property is fitted with an approved gas safety certificate before tenants move into. Failing to do so is an offense that could lead to landlords being charged and liable to heavy fines. The regulations stipulate 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 a gas check on all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will take note of any issues that may present a danger for tenants. They will issue the CP12 gas safety document, which is known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.

This is a crucial document that every tenant must keep. This document contains information about gas installations in a rental home and the dates they were tested and their expiration dates. It will help tenants recognize problems with appliances or installations and make sure they know how contact the Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.

Landlords must give the gas safety report to their tenants, new and existing within 28 days of the date that the engineer has visited their property. The landlord must also provide a copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenancy. Landlords who fail to provide a copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted under the regulations and could face unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.

Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange that they be tested every month. The landlord is responsible for fixing 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 decided that it was unlawful for landlords to issue Section 21 notices if they did not provide their tenants with a valid gas safety certification. The decision was based on the law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to have a gas safety certification for their property prior to the time tenants move in.

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

Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that gas appliances, flues, and pipework in their properties are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. In order to comply with these regulations, landlords must arrange annual gas checks on all the gas appliances and flues that they supply for use within 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.

Landlords should also think about having a boiler inspection done in conjunction with an CP12 inspection. This will ensure that the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Landlords can typically get a combined CP12 and boiler service for an affordable price from a professional gas engineer who will be able to check the seals on boiler burners, inspect the flue system for cracks and leaks as well as clean the heat exchanger and burner and carry out general maintenance.

The CP12 document is commonly referred to as the 'landlord gas safety certificate', but it is actually the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of all the safety checks and details of any actions or issues that need to be addressed. Landlords must provide their tenants with a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.

It is crucial that landlords or letting agents only permit Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It is a good idea to inform tenants of the importance of allowing access and explain that the gas engineer will help keep them safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to allow access it is the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility to clarify the legal obligations in writing, and follow by visiting the property to force entry if needed.

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 are properly qualified to work on the gas systems in your home and can be trusted to complete the gas safety inspection efficiently and effectively. It's also worth bearing in mind that the gas engineer is legally allowed to disconnect faulty equipment and can cut off your gas supplies if necessary.