Landlord
Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler ServiceAs a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances as well as chimneys and flues are regularly inspected. You must also give a copy of the report to your tenants.
If the engineer deems any appliance or installation as being immediately dangerous, they will ask permission to disconnect the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches be installed.
What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that proves that all of the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a certified gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange an annual gas inspection for each rental property that they have at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry out the inspection and check that all pipework, appliances and flues conform with safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to give tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) after every annual inspection and test for gas safety. This must be given to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the start of their tenure.
CP12 is the abbreviation 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, the results, any steps that must be taken, as well as the name and the title of the engineer who performed the inspection.
The engineer will provide advice on the spot if the Gas
safety certificates Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will include the items that need to be corrected to make it safe to use. If an appliance is deemed Immediately Dangerous, or Abnormally lethal, the gas supply must be disconnected until the problem has been resolved.
If a tenant is unwilling to allow access for gas safety checks to be carried out it is an infraction that is punishable by law. A landlord can apply to the courts for an injunction order in the event of need, but it is usually much easier to send a clearly worded letter explaining why it is essential that the checks are made and what they will entail. This will encourage a reluctant tenant to give access, and in the event that they do not, the landlord may be required to begin the process of eviction.
How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
By law, landlords and let agents are required by law to conduct an annual safety check of the chimneys and gas appliances that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that the equipment is safe to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks in the property.
gas safety certificate what is checked inspections are a crucial responsibility for landlords, and they should ensure that they are carried out by a qualified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document which indicates that an engineer completed a gas check within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and must also be given to the tenant to verify the safety of gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months and must be renewed annually.
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 performed by landlords on time. They must also keep a copy of the certificate in the event that tenants request 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. If the appliance is deemed to be 'at risk' during an inspection, the engineer will formally declare it to be at risk and shut off the boiler 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 to entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This gives tenants time to prepare for the visit and give permission if needed. If a tenant does not allow entry to the engineer the landlord has to explain the reason for this and
what is a gas safety certificate would happen if the tenant refused. If the tenant continues to refuse, then the landlord should consider evicting them using section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if I don't get a Gas Safety Certificate?
In short it is the landlord's legal obligation to ensure their property has a valid gas safety certification prior to the time tenants move into. In the absence of this, it's an offense that could lead to landlords being punished with severe fines. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must provide an original copy of their gas safety report to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property of the landlord to conduct a gas inspection on all gas appliances. During the inspection, the engineer will note any issues that may present a danger for tenants. They will issue an CP12 gas safety document, which is known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is an important document that every tenant must keep. The document contains information about gas installations in a rental property and the dates they were tested as well as their expiration dates. It will help tenants recognize issues with their appliances and installations and make sure that they know how to contact the Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.
Landlords are required to provide their tenants, both new and existing, 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 that their tenancy begins. Landlords who fail to provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted under the regulations and may be subject to unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.
In the same way, landlords must make sure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange for them to be tested every month. If the alarm is not working, the landlord must make the necessary repairs. 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 an official gas safety certificate. The ruling was by reference to the law which states that landlords of assured shorthold tenancies must have a gas safety record for their property prior to the time tenants move into the property.
How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords have a legal responsibility 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 these regulations, landlords must conduct annual gas inspections on all gas appliances and flues they provide for use in the building. This is known as a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and must be signed by a licensed Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
It is also a good idea for landlords to consider having a boiler service carried out at the same time as the CP12 inspection, since this will help ensure that all gas appliances are functioning in a safe and efficient manner. Gas engineers can offer a combined CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable cost. They will inspect the seals of boiler burners, inspect for leaks and cracks in the flue system and clean the heat exchanger and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 is often referred to by the term "landlord's gas safety certificate" however it is actually called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of safety checks, as well as details of any problems or actions that should be addressed. Landlords must provide their tenants the CP12 document within 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is 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 a good idea educate tenants on the importance of allowing access and explain that the gas engineer will ensure they are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is reluctant to permit access it is the landlord's or letting agent's duty to explain the legal responsibilities in writing and then follow with a visit to the property to compel entry if needed.
Tenants should always be shown a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to they allow them into the home to ensure that they're 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 safety certificate uk engineer is legally able to shut off any malfunctioning equipment and cut off your gas supply when necessary.