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Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys undergo annual inspections. It is also your responsibility to provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer determines that a particular appliance or installation is immediately dangerous, 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 gas safety certificate issued by a landlord is an official document that confirms that all gas appliances and flues that are in the property that is rented have been inspected by an accredited gas engineer. Landlords are legally required to organize a gas safety check once per year for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and ensure that all pipework, appliances and flues are in compliance with safety regulations.
Landlords are also legally required to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) following each annual gas safety inspection and test. This must be given to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the start of their tenancy.
CP12 is an abbreviation used for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was employed by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before it was replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form lists the date of the last gas inspection and tests and the results, any actions or issues that need to be addressed, and the name of the engineer who carried out the inspection.

The engineer will provide advice in the event that 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 immediately dangerous or abnormally dangerous the gas supply needs to be turned off until the issue is resolved.
It is a crime to a tenant who refuses to let the gas safety inspection to be carried out. A landlord can apply to the courts for an injunction in the event of need, but it is generally easier to send a clearly written letter stating why it is essential that the checks are conducted and what they'll involve. This should entice tenants who are hesitant to allow access to the property. If not the landlord has to start the eviction procedure.
How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
The law requires that landlords and let agents are required by law to conduct an annual safety check of the chimneys and gas appliances they offer to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and there are no gas leaks in the property. Gas inspections are a vital obligation for landlords and they must ensure that they are conducted by a certified 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 performed by a licensed engineer within the last 12 months. It is given to the landlord and must be given to the tenant to prove the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months and must be renewed annually.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants with an Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be penalized by the local authority. It is therefore crucial for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out in a timely manner and to keep a copy of the documentation in the event that a tenant asks for it.
It is also an excellent idea for landlords to put inspection hatches on all gas appliances to allow engineers to easily access the hatches for annual inspections. The engineer will categorise the appliance as 'at-risk' and may recommend that the tenant refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords are also required to give tenants at least 24 hours' notice prior to entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This will allow tenants to prepare for the visit and give 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 would happen if the tenant refused. If the tenant continues to refuse, then the landlord should think about evicting them under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What is the consequence if I don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal obligation of a landlord to ensure that their property is fitted with an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move in. In the absence of this, it's an offense that could result in landlords being punished with severe fines. The regulations also state that landlords must give a copy of the gas safety certificate to their tenants on request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord to perform an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection, a Gas Safe registered engineer will be able to identify any issues that could pose a risk to tenants. They will issue a CP12 gas safety certificate which is known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is an important piece of documentation that every tenant must be able to access and keep. This document contains information about gas installations in rental properties and the dates they were tested and expiration dates. It will help tenants recognize any issues with their installation or appliances and ensure they know how to reach an Gas Safe engineer to have them checked.
Landlords must provide an inspection report on gas safety to their tenants, new and current within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. They must also provide a copy the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy begins. Landlords who fail to provide a copy of the gas safety certificate can be prosecuted under the rules and may be subject to unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
In the same way, landlords must make sure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange that they be tested each month. If the alarm isn't working, the landlord must make the necessary repairs. The rules around this are applicable to council, private, and housing association landlords, and also to licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
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 ruling was based on the law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to obtain an official gas safety certificate for their property before tenants move in.
How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that the gas appliances, flues and pipework in their properties are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. In order to comply with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas inspections on all gas appliances and flues that they provide for use in the building. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate and it must be completed by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It's also a good idea for landlords to look into having the boiler service completed simultaneously with the CP12 inspection, as this will help ensure that all the gas appliances are functioning correctly and safely. Landlords can usually get a combined CP12 and boiler service at a reasonable price from a professional gas engineer who will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners. They will also inspect the flue system for leaks and cracks cleaning the burner and heat exchanger and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes known as "landlord's gas safety certificate" but it actually is called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It lists the results of all the safety checks and the details of any actions or problems that need to be addressed. Landlords must provide their tenants the CP12 document not later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It's important that the landlords or letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers to access the property to conduct safety checks and for maintenance. It is crucial to educate tenants on the importance of giving gas engineers access to the property and explain that the engineer's job is to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant refuses to permit access, the landlord or agent must outline the legal obligations in writing. Then, they should visit the property and force entry if needed.
Tenants should always ask to have a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before they allow them into the home, as this will prove that they are properly qualified to work on your home's gas systems and are able to complete the gas safety inspection efficiently and efficiently. landlord gas safety certificate how often should also be aware that a gas engineer can legally shut off defective equipment or shut off your gas supply should it be required.