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 inspected annually. You must also provide a copy to your tenants.

If the engineer determines that any appliance or installation is immediately dangerous they will ask permission to shut off gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.

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

A landlord gas safety certificate is a document that proves that the gas appliances and flues have been checked by a licensed gas engineer. Landlords are legally required to arrange a gas safety check annually for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and verify that all pipework, appliances and flues conform with safety standards.

The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) after 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 an abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 which was employed 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, their results, any actions that need to be taken, and the name and the title of the engineer who conducted 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 ensure it is safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be dangerous immediately or abnormally dangerous the gas supply needs to be turned off until the issue has been resolved.

It is a crime for a tenant to refuse to allow the gas safety test to be carried out. If needed the landlord has the right to ask the courts for an order to prohibit the tenant from preventing gas safety checks. However, it's more common to write a letter that clarifies why the checks are important and what's required. This can convince a tenant who is reluctant to give access, and in the event that they do not, the landlord might have to think about starting the eviction process.

How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?

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

The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is an official document that proves that a gas inspection has been performed by a licensed engineer within the last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord and must be given to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months, and has to be renewed annually.

A landlord gas safety certificate and boiler service who fails to provide an Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. It is therefore crucial for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out on time and keep a copy of the documents in case a tenant requests it.

It's also a good idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances, so that the engineers can easily access them for inspections every year. The engineer will classify the appliance as 'at-risk' and may suggest that tenants refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.

Landlords must also provide their tenants with at least 24 hours' notice before entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows the tenants to prepare for the visit and grant permission, if required. If a tenant is refusing access to the engineer the landlord has to explain the reason why it is necessary and what happens should the tenant refuse. If the tenant does not allow the engineer entry, the landlord could think about evicting the tenant in accordance with section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.

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

In short, it is the landlord's legal obligation to ensure that their property is equipped with a valid gas safety certification before tenants move into the property. Failure to comply with the law can lead to the landlord being charged or fined severely. The regulations also state that landlords must give an electronic copy of the gas safety report to their tenants on request.

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

This is an important document that every tenant should keep. It contains information on the gas installations in a rental property, as well as details about when they were last tested and their expiry dates. It will help tenants recognize issues with their appliances and installations and make sure that they are aware of how to contact an Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.

Landlords are required to provide their current and new tenants with a gas safety check 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 that their tenancy begins. Landlords who fail in providing the the gas certificate can be prosecuted and could face unlimited fines, or six months in prison.

In the same way, landlords must make sure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms. They can also arrange that they be tested every month. The landlord is responsible for repairing any alarm that doesn't work. This is the case for councils, private landlords, and housing associations, and also licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.

In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was unlawful for landlords to issue Section 21 notices without providing 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 can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

Landlords are required by law to ensure that gas appliances, flues, and pipework within their properties are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 regulate this. To be in compliance with the regulations landlords must conduct annual gas checks of all gas appliances and flues they supply for use in 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 performing a boiler inspection simultaneously with the CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Gas engineers can provide the combination CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable cost. They will inspect the seals of boiler burners as well as look for leaks and cracks in the flue system, clean the heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.

The CP12 is sometimes referred to by the term "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it's actually called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of safety inspections, and specifics about any issues or actions that must be taken care of. Landlords are required to provide their tenants a CP12 document not later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.

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

Tenants should always ask to see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before entering the premises, as this will prove that they are properly qualified to work on your home's gas systems and can i get a copy of my gas safe certificate be trusted to complete the gas safety test efficiently and efficiently. It is also important to know that a gas engineer is able to legally shut off defective equipment or shut off your gas supply should it be required.