Landlord
Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler ServiceAs an owner, it is your responsibility to ensure all gas appliances, flues and chimneys are inspected annually. It is also your responsibility to give a copy of the report to your tenants.
If the engineer determines that a particular appliance or installation is imminently dangerous they will ask permission to cut off gas supply and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is the definition of a Gas Safety Certificate?
A
homeowner gas safety certificate safety certificate for landlords is a document that proves that all of the gas appliances and flues have been checked by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are legally required arrange a gas safety check once per year for each rental property they own. The inspection is carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all pipes, appliances, and flues are in good working order and in compliance with the safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) after every annual inspection and test for gas safety. This must be given to tenants in the 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the start of their tenure.
CP12 is the abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 that was used by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form outlines the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their results, any actions required to be taken, as well as the name and the title of the engineer that conducted the check.
The engineer will offer advice if the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will include what needs to be addressed so that it is safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediate danger or abnormally lethal, the gas supply must be shut off until the issue is resolved.
If a tenant refuses to allow access for gas security checks to be conducted it is an offence that is criminal. If needed the landlord has the right to ask the courts for a court order to prohibit the tenant from preventing gas safety inspections. However, it's usually easier to send a letter that explains why the checks are important and what's involved. This will encourage the tenant who is hesitant to allow access to the property. If not, the landlord will need to begin the eviction process.
how long does a gas safety certificate last often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
In the law, landlords and agents for letting are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection of the chimneys and gas appliances that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks in the property. This is a crucial responsibility and landlords should ensure that they have their gas inspections completed by a certified gas 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 given to the landlord and should be given to the tenant as proof of the security of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and has to be renewed every year.
If a landlord does not provide their tenants with the Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and 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 on all gas appliances is a good idea as it allows engineers to easily access the appliances to conduct annual inspections. The engineer will classify the appliance as being at-risk and may suggest that tenants refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords should also make sure that they provide their tenants with a minimum of 24 hours notice prior to the time they are allowed to enter the property to carry out Gas Safety checks. This allows the tenants to prepare for the visit and grant permission, if required. If a tenant refuses to permit the engineer to enter, the landlord should inform them why the engineer is required and what happens in the event that they do not comply. If the tenant does not allow the engineer entry, the landlord may decide to evict the tenant under section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if I don't receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal obligation of landlords to ensure that their property has an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into. Failure to comply with this law could result in a landlord being prosecuted or being fined a significant amount. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must provide an electronic copy of the gas safety record to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to conduct a gas check on all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will be able to identify any issues that could pose a risk to tenants. The engineer will issue an CP12 Gas Safety Document, which is also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is a very important document that every tenant must keep. This document contains information about gas installations in a rental home, including when they were tested as well as their expiration dates. It will help tenants recognize any issues with their appliances or installations and make sure that they know 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 visiting their property. They must also give a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy starts. Landlords who fail to provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate can be prosecuted under the regulations and face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
In the same way, landlords must make sure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms. They can also arrange that they be tested each month. The landlord is responsible for repairing the problem if the alarm does not work. The rules around this apply to council, private, and housing association landlords, and also to licensable houses of multiple Occupation (HMOs).
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 in accordance with the law that states that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must obtain a record of their gas safety for their property prior to when tenants move in.
how much gas safety certificate do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework within the properties they lease 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 they supply for use in a property. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and must be signed by a licensed Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
It's also a good idea for landlords to consider having the boiler service completed in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, since this will help ensure that all the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Landlords can usually obtain a combined CP12 and boiler service for a reasonable 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 burner and heat exchanger and conduct general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes known as "landlord's gas safety certificate" however it is actually known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of all safety inspections and the details of any actions or issues that need to be resolved. Landlords must provide their tenants with a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
It is important that landlords and letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It's important to educate tenants on the importance of giving gas engineers access to their property and explain that the engineer's presence is necessary to protect them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant refuses to allow access, the landlord or agent must explain the legal obligations in writing. They should then visit the property and force entry if needed.
Tenants must always request to have a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before entering the premises to prove that they're competent to work on your home's gas systems and can be trusted to complete the gas safety test efficiently and efficiently. It's also worth bearing in mind that the gas engineer is legally allowed to shut off any malfunctioning equipment and can shut off your gas supply in the event of a need.