Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, chimneys and flues are regularly inspected. The law also requires you provide a copy of the check to your tenants.

If the engineer determines that an device or installation to be immediately dangerous they will request permission to shut off the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches be installed.

What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate?

A landlord gas safety certificate is a document that proves that all the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been examined by a qualified gas engineer. The landlord must arrange for an annual gas inspection for each rental property that they have at least once a year. The inspection is conducted by a gas safety certificate cost Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all of the pipework and appliances as well as flues are in good working order and in compliance with safety regulations.

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. This should be given to tenants within 28 days following the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their tenure.

CP12 is an abbreviation used for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was employed by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before it was replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form includes the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their results, any actions required to be taken, as well as the name and title of the engineer who performed the inspection.

If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance the engineer will provide advice on what should be done to make it safe for use. If an appliance is deemed to be Immediately Dangerous or abnormally lethal, the gas supply must be disconnected until the issue has been fixed.

It is illegal for a tenant to refuse to let the gas safety inspection to be conducted. If needed the landlord has the right to ask the courts for a court order to stop the tenant from preventing gas safety inspections. However, it's more common to send a letter which explains why the checks are important and what's involved. This will convince a tenant who is reluctant to let access in, and if not, the landlord may be required to begin the eviction process.

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

The landlords and letting agencies are required by law to conduct an annual gas safety check on all gas appliances and flues that they supply to tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and that there aren't any leaks of gas in the property. Gas inspections are a vital obligation for landlords and they should ensure that they are carried out by a licensed engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document that indicates that an engineer completed a gas inspection in the last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord and should be handed over to the tenant to prove the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months and must be renewed every year.

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

It's also an excellent idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances so that the engineers can easily access the hatches for annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be 'at risk' during an inspection the engineer will declare it to be at risk and will shut off the boiler service and gas safety certificate and recommend that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch has been installed.

Landlords are also required to give their tenants at least 24 hours' notice prior entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This gives tenants time to prepare and ask permission if needed. If a tenant does not allow the engineer access the landlord must write to them explaining why the engineer is required and what happens if they don't comply. If the tenant continues to refuse the engineer entry, then the landlord must look into evicting them pursuant to section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.

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

In essence, it's the landlord's legal responsibility to ensure that their home has a valid gas safety certification prior to the time tenants move into the property. Failure to do this is an offense that could result in landlords being punished with severe fines. The regulations also state that a landlord 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 perform an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will identify any issues that could be a threat to tenants. They will then issue an CP12 gas safety certificate that is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a gas safety certificate landlord Safety Certificate.

This is a crucial piece of documentation that all tenants should get a hold of and keep. This document provides information on gas installations in a rental home as well as the date they were tested and expiration dates. It can help tenants identify any issues with the appliances or installations and ensure that they are aware of how to reach an Gas Safe engineer to have them tested.

Landlords are required to provide their new and current tenants with a gas safety report within 28 days of the engineer's visit to their property. They must also give a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy commences. Landlords that fail to provide the copy of the gas certificate could be prosecuted and could face unlimited fines or six months in prison.

Similar to this landlords must make sure that carbon monoxide detectors work in their homes and make arrangements for them to be checked every month. The landlord is responsible for fixing the problem if the alarm does not work. This is applicable to private landlords, councils and housing associations, and also 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 certificate. The decision was based upon a law that requires landlords with assured shorthold tenancies to have a gas safety certificate for their property prior to when tenants move into it.

How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords are legally responsible for ensuring that gas appliances, Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service flues and pipework in the homes they rent out are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. To comply with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks of all gas appliances and flues that they install for use in the property. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and it must be completed by a qualified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.

Landlords should also think about performing a boiler inspection simultaneously with a CP12 inspection. This will ensure that the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Gas engineers can offer the combination CP12 inspection and boiler service for 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 referred to as the 'landlord gas safety certificate' but it is actually the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of the safety tests, as well as specifics about any issues or actions that need to be addressed. Landlords must give their tenants a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.

It's important that the landlords or letting agents permit Gas Safe registered engineers to visit the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It's important to educate tenants on the importance of permitting gas engineers access to the property. They should explain that the engineer's presence is necessary to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant refuses to allow access the agent or landlord must state the legal requirements in writing. They should then visit the property and force entry if required.

Tenants should always see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to they allow them into the home to prove that they are properly qualified to work on your home's gas systems and is able to complete the gas safety inspection efficiently and effectively. It's also worth bearing in mind that the gas engineer is legally permitted to disconnect faulty equipment and cut off gas lines in the event of a need.