Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

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

If the engineer considers an appliance or installation to be immediately dangerous, they will request permission to disconnect the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches be installed.

What is the definition of a Gas Safety Certificate?

A landlord gas safety certificate is a document that proves that the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a certified gas engineer. Landlords must arrange the gas check for each rental property they own at least once per year. The inspection is carried out by an Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure 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), following each annual inspection and test for gas safety. This should be provided to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the beginning of their tenure.

CP12 is the abbreviation used for the CORGI Proforma 12 that was employed by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form contains the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their results, any actions that need 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 and the engineer will give advice on what is a gas safety certificate should be done to make it safe for use. If an appliance is deemed to be immediately dangerous or Abnormally Lethal the gas supply will need to be turned off until the problem is fixed.

If a tenant refuses to permit access to the gas safety checks to be completed, it is an offence that is criminal. A landlord can apply to the courts for an injunction order if necessary, however it is usually much easier to send a clearly written letter that explains the reasons why it is crucial that the checks are carried out and what they'll involve. This will encourage a reluctant tenant to let access in, and if not, the landlord might have to think about starting the process of eviction.

How often do homeowners need a gas safety certificate I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?

By law, landlords and let agents are required by law to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on the chimneys and gas appliances that they provide to their tenants. This is done to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and that there are no gas leaks within the property. Gas inspections are a crucial obligation for landlords, and they should ensure that they are carried out by a qualified engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is an official document that proves that an inspection of the gas supply has been performed by a licensed engineer in the last 12 months. It is given to the landlord and should be handed over to the tenant as proof of the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and needs to be renewed every year.

If a landlord is unable to provide their tenants with an Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be fined by the local authority. It is therefore crucial for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out in a timely manner and to keep a copy of the documentation in case a tenant needs it.

Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea, because it lets engineers gain access to the appliances 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 may disconnect the boiler and recommend that the tenant refrain from using it until the inspection hatch is installed.

Landlords must also give tenants at least 24 hours' notice prior to entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows tenants to prepare and ask permission if they need. If a tenant refuses entry to the engineer the landlord has to explain why this is necessary and what will happen in the event that the tenant refuses. If the tenant is still refusing the engineer entry, then the landlord must consider evicting them using section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.

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

In short it is the landlord's legal obligation to ensure their property has an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into. Infractions to this law could result in the landlord being prosecuted or fined heavily. The regulations state that landlords must also furnish copies of gas safety records to their tenants upon 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, a Gas Safe registered engineer will identify any issues that could pose a danger to tenants. The engineer will issue a CP12 Gas Safety Document, also known as a landlord gas safety certificate how often Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).

This is a crucial document that every tenant should keep. It contains information about the gas installations of the rental property as well as information regarding when they last tested and when they expire. It can help tenants identify issues with their appliances and installations and make sure that they know how contact an Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.

Landlords are required to provide their tenants, both new and existing, with a gas safety check report within 28 days of the engineer's visit to their property. The landlord must also give the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenancy. Landlords who fail to provide a copy of the gas safe certificate check safety certificate may be prosecuted in accordance with the regulations and may be subject to unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.

The same way, landlords should ensure that carbon monoxide detectors work in their properties and arrange for them being tested each month. If the alarm is not working, the landlord should fix it. This is the case for councils, private landlords, and housing associations and also licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.

In June 2017 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 ruling was based on the law that requires landlords with assured shorthold tenancies to have a gas safety certification for their property before tenants move in.

How can I obtain a gas certificates Safety Certificate (GSC)?

Landlords have a legal responsibility to make sure that the gas appliances, flues and pipework in their properties are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 deal with this. To be in compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks of all gas appliances and Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service flues they provide for use in a property. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and must be completed by a qualified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.

It's also a good idea for landlords to look into having the boiler service completed in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, since it will help ensure that all gas appliances are working correctly and safely. Landlords can typically obtain a combined CP12 and boiler service at a reasonable price from a qualified gas engineer who can check the seals on boiler burners. They will also inspect the flue system for cracks and leaks as well as clean the heat exchanger and burner and perform general maintenance.

The CP12 document is commonly called the 'landlord's gas safety certificate', however, it is officially referred to as the Gas Safety Record documentation. It lists the results of all the safety checks and details of any actions or problems that need to be resolved. Landlords must provide their tenants the CP12 document within 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.

It is essential that the landlords or letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers to visit the property 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 is there to help keep them safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is reluctant to permit access it is the landlord's or letting agent's duty to clarify the legal obligations in writing, and follow by visiting the property to compel entry if needed.

Tenants must always request to have a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to entering the premises to ensure that they're qualified to work on the gas systems in your home and can be trusted to complete the gas safety test efficiently and effectively. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally allowed to shut off any malfunctioning equipment and can cut off your gas supplies when necessary.