Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler ServiceAs a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances chimneys, flues and chimneys are regularly inspected. You must also provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer determines that an device or installation to be immediately hazardous, they will request permission to disconnect the
gas certificates supply and suggest that inspection hatches be installed.
What is the definition of a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is an official document that certifies that all gas appliances and flues in the rented property have been inspected by an experienced gas engineer. Landlords are legally required organize a gas safety check every year for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and ensure that all pipework, appliances and flues comply with safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12
gas safety certificate cost Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) at the time of each annual inspection and test for gas safety. This should be provided to tenants in the 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the beginning of their lease.
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 identifies the date of the last gas inspection or test, the results, any issues or actions that need to be addressed, and the name of the engineer who carried out the check.
The engineer will provide advice on the spot if the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be corrected to make it safe to 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 is resolved.
If a tenant is unwilling to permit access to the gas security checks to be conducted it is an infraction that is punishable by law. If needed landlords can apply to the courts for an order to enjoin the tenant from refusing to allow gas safety inspections. However, it is often easier to write a letter that describes why the check is important and what's required. This should encourage a reluctant tenant to give access, and if not, the landlord may be required to begin the process of eviction.
How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
By law, landlords and letting agents are required to conduct an annual safety check of all chimneys and gas appliances they offer to their tenants. This is done to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks in the property. This is an essential responsibility for landlords and they should be sure to have their gas inspections completed by a qualified gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is legal document that confirms that an inspection of the gas supply has been conducted by a qualified engineer within the last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord, and should be handed over to the tenant as proof of the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months and must be renewed annually.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants with the Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be fined by the local authority. It is therefore vital for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out in a timely manner and to keep a copy of the certificate in case a tenant requests it.
It is also a good idea for landlords to install inspection hatches on all gas appliances so that the engineers can easily access them for annual inspections. The engineer will categorise the appliance as being at-risk and may suggest that the tenant refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords are also required to give their tenants at least 24 hours' notice before entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows tenants to prepare and request permission if needed. If a tenant is unwilling to permit the engineer to enter the landlord must send a letter to them explaining why it is necessary and what happens in the event that they
do homeowners need a gas safety certificate not comply. If the tenant still refuses then the landlord should think about evicting them under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if you don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal responsibility of a landlord to ensure that their property is fitted with a gas safety certificate valid prior to the time tenants move into. Failure to adhere to this law could result in a landlord being prosecuted or fined heavily. The regulations stipulate that landlords must also furnish copies of the
gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to perform a gas check on all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will be able to identify any issues that could present a danger to tenants. They will then issue a CP12 gas safety certificate that is also known as the 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 information about when they were last tested and their expiry dates. It will help tenants recognize issues with their appliances and installations and ensure that they know how to contact the Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.
Landlords are required to provide their current and new tenants with a gas safety check report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. They must also provide a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy begins. Landlords who fail to provide a copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted in accordance with the regulations and could face unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.
In the same way landlords must ensure that carbon monoxide detectors work in their properties and make arrangements for them to be tested every month. The landlord is responsible for repairing any alarm that doesn't work. The rules around this apply to council, private, and housing association landlords, as well as licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In June 2017 in June 2017, the High Court decided that it was illegal for landlords to issue Section 21 notices if they did not provide their tenants with a valid gas safety certification. The decision was based on the law that states that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must have a record of their gas safety for their property prior to the time tenants move in.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that gas appliances, flues and pipework in the homes they rent out are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. To comply with the regulations, landlords are required to organize annual gas inspections of all the gas appliances and flues that they provide for use in the property. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and it must be completed by a certified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also think about having a boiler inspection done at the same time as an CP12 inspection. This will ensure that the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Landlords can typically get a combined CP12 and boiler service at a reasonable price from a professional gas engineer. They will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for cracks and leaks as well as clean the heat exchanger and burner and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes known as "landlord's gas safety certificate" but it is actually called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It lists the results of all the safety checks and details of any actions or issues that need to be resolved. Landlords are required to give their tenants a CP12 document not later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It's important that landlords or letting agents only permit Gas Safe registered engineers to access the property to conduct safety checks and for maintenance. It is a good idea to inform tenants about the necessity of allowing access, and explaining that the
gas safety certificate replacement engineer is there to protect them from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to permit access, it's the landlord or letting agent's duty to clarify the legal obligations in writing. Then follow up with a visit to the property to force entry if needed.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before they are allowed to enter the property. This will ensure that the engineer is competent to work on the systems in your home and can therefore be trusted to perform the safety check. It's important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally allowed to cut off any defective equipment and can cut off your gas supplies if necessary.