Watch Out: How Gas Safety Certificate And Boiler Service Is Taking Over And What We Can Do About It
Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys are inspected annually. You should also provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer considers an device or installation to be immediately dangerous, they will ask for permission to cut off the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches be installed.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is an official document that confirms that all gas appliances and flues in the rented property have been inspected by an accredited gas engineer. Landlords are legally obliged to organize a gas safety check once per year for each rental property they own. The inspection is carried out by an Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all of the pipework appliances, flues, and pipes are in good working condition and in compliance with safety standards.
The law also requires landlords to give tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record), following 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 beginning of their tenure.
CP12 is an abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was used by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) prior to being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form outlines the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, the results, any steps that need to be taken, as well as the name and title of the engineer who conducted the inspection.
The engineer will provide advice on the spot if the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. landlord gas safety certificate cp12 will outline what needs to be corrected in order to ensure it is safe to use. If a gas appliance is found to be Immediately Dangerous, or Abnormally lethal the gas supply should be disconnected until the problem is resolved.
It is illegal to a tenant who refuses to allow the gas safety inspection to be carried out. A landlord can ask the courts for an injunction order in the event of need, but it is generally more efficient to send a clearly written letter stating why it is essential that the checks are made and what they will involve. This should encourage tenants who are hesitant to allow access to the property. If not the landlord is not willing, he will have to begin the eviction process.
How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agents are required by law to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on all gas appliances and flues that they supply to tenants. This is done to ensure that the equipment is safe to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks within the property. This is an essential responsibility and landlords should make sure that they have their gas inspections completed by a certified gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is a legal document that confirms that a gas inspection has been completed by a qualified engineer within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and should be presented to the tenant to prove the safety of gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months, and must be renewed annually.
A landlord who does not provide a Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. It is therefore essential for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out on time and to keep a copy of the documentation in case a tenant requests it.
It's also a good idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances to allow engineers to easily access them for inspections every year. If the appliance is found to be 'at risk' during an inspection the engineer will categorise it as such and may disconnect the boiler and recommend that tenants not to use it until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords must also give 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 is refusing entry to the engineer the landlord has to explain the reason for this and what will happen should the tenant refuse. If the tenant continues to refuse 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?
In essence, it's the landlord's legal responsibility to ensure that their home has a valid gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move in. Infractions to this law could result in the landlord being charged or fined heavily. 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 in order to perform a gas inspection on all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will note any problems that could pose a danger to tenants. They will then issue an CP12 gas safety certificate which is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is an important document that every tenant must keep. This document contains information about gas installations in rental properties as well as the date they were tested as well as their expiration dates. It can help tenants identify any issues with their installation or appliances and ensure they are aware of how to contact a Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords are required to provide their new and current tenants with a gas safety report within 28 days of the engineer visiting their property. They must also provide a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy commences. Landlords who fail in providing the the gas certificate can be prosecuted and face unlimited fines or even six months in prison.
The same way landlords must make sure that carbon monoxide detectors are in operation in their homes and have them checked every month. The landlord is responsible for repairing the problem if the alarm does not work. The rules for this apply 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 in accordance with the law that stipulates that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must obtain a gas safety record for their property before tenants move into the property.
How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords have a legal responsibility to make sure that the gas appliances, flues and pipework within their properties are safe for tenants. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To comply with these regulations, landlords must arrange annual gas checks on all the gas appliances and flues they provide for use in the property. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, and it has to be completed by a qualified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to look into having an annual boiler service performed in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, since this will ensure that all the gas appliances are functioning in a safe and efficient manner. Landlords are usually able to receive a combination CP12 and boiler service for an affordable price from a professional gas engineer who can check the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for cracks and leaks, clean the heat exchanger and burner and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 is often called "landlord's gas safety certificate" however it actually is called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of safety inspections, and specifics of any issues or actions that need to be taken care of. Landlords are required to give tenants a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
It's important that landlords or letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers to visit the property to conduct safety checks and for maintenance. It's a good idea inform tenants of the necessity of allowing access, and explaining that the gas engineer will ensure they are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant refuses to permit access, the landlord or agent must outline the legal obligations in writing. They should then visit the property and force entry if necessary.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before entering the property. This will confirm that the engineer is qualified to work with the systems in your home and can therefore be trusted to perform the safety check. You should also be aware that a gas technician can legally remove the malfunctioning equipment or cut off your gas supply if needed.