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. It is also your responsibility to give a copy of the report to your tenants.

If the engineer believes that any appliance or installation is immediate danger, they will request permission to disconnect the supply of gas and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.

What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

A landlord gas safety certificate is a document that demonstrates that all the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are legally required to 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 checks to ensure that all 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 of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) after every annual inspection and test for gas safety. The document should be handed out to tenants within 28 days after the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their tenure.

CP12 is an abbreviation used for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was employed by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) prior to being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form lists the date of the last gas inspection and tests as well as the results, any issues or actions that need to be addressed, and the name of the person who conducted the check.

If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance, the engineer will advise on what must be done to make it safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediately dangerous or Abnormally Lethal the gas supply will have to be shut off until the issue has been resolved.

If a tenant refuses to allow access for the gas safety checks to be completed it is a criminal offence. A landlord can apply to the courts for an injunction in the event of need, but it is generally more efficient to send a clearly written letter that explains why it is essential that the checks are conducted and what they will entail. This should entice a tenant who is reluctant to allow access to the house. If not the landlord has to initiate the eviction process.

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

By law, landlords and letting agents are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection of all gas appliances and chimneys they offer to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe to use and there are no leaks of gas in the property. This is a crucial responsibility and landlords should ensure that they get their gas inspections done by a qualified gas engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is an official document that proves that the gas inspection was completed by a qualified engineer within the last 12 months. It is given to the landlord and must be handed over to the tenant to prove the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months, and has to be renewed each year.

If a landlord fails to provide their tenants with a 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 also keep a copy of the certificate in case tenants request it.

Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea, as it allows engineers to gain access to the appliances for their annual inspections. The engineer will label the appliance as being at-risk and may recommend that the tenant refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.

Landlords should also make sure that they give their tenants a minimum of 24 hours notice prior to the time they are allowed to enter the property to perform Gas Safety checks. This gives tenants time to prepare for the visit and provide permission, if required. If a tenant refuses to allow the engineer access, the landlord should write to them explaining why it is necessary and what will happen if they don't follow through. If the tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord can i get a copy of my gas safe certificate consider evicting the tenant under section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.

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

It is the legal responsibility of landlords to ensure that their property has an official gas safety certificate that is valid before tenants move in. In the absence of this, it's an offense that could result in landlords being charged and liable to heavy fines. The regulations also state that landlords must provide an electronic copy of the gas safety certificate to their tenants upon request.

Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord in order to perform a gas inspection on all gas appliances. During the inspection, a Gas Safe registered engineer will be able to identify any issues that could pose a danger to tenants. The engineer will then issue an CP12 Gas Safety Document, also known as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).

This is a crucial piece of documentation that every tenant must be able to access and keep. The 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 issues with their appliances and installations and make sure they are aware of how to contact a Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.

Landlords are required to provide their new and current tenants with a gas safety inspection report within 28 days of the engineer visiting their property. The landlord must also give a copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenure. Landlords who do not provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted under the regulations and face unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.

Similar to this, landlords should ensure that carbon monoxide detectors work in their homes and have them tested each month. The landlord is responsible for repairing any alarm that doesn't work. This is the case for private landlords, councils and housing associations as well as licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation.

In June 2017 the High Court ruled that it was illegal for landlords to serve Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid Gas Safety Certificate. The decision was made in accordance with the law that states that landlords of assured shorthold tenancies must obtain an approved gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move into.

How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that gas appliances, flues, and pipework in the properties they lease are safe. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To be in compliance with these regulations, landlords must organize annual gas safety certificate and boiler service inspections of all the gas appliances and flues that they supply for use in the property. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and must be completed by a certified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.

It's also a good idea for landlords to think about having a boiler service carried out at the same time as the CP12 inspection, as this will help ensure that all gas safety certificate landlord appliances are functioning properly and safely. Landlords are usually able to get a combined CP12 and boiler service at an affordable cost from a qualified gas engineer who will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners, inspect the flue system for leaks and cracks as well as clean the heat exchanger and burner and conduct general maintenance.

The CP12 document is often referred to as the 'landlord gas safety certificate' although it is officially called the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of all safety checks and details of any actions or issues that require attention. Landlords must give their tenants a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.

It is crucial that landlords and letting agents only permit Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It's a good idea to educate tenants on the importance of allowing access and explain that the gas engineer is there to ensure they are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If a tenant is hesitant to allow access, it's the landlord or letting agent's responsibility to clarify the legal obligations in writing. Then follow by visiting the property to compel entry if needed.

Tenants should always ask 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 safe installation certificate systems in your home 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 able to cut off any defective equipment and can shut off your gas supply if necessary.