Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

As a landlord it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, chimneys and flues are regularly inspected. You must also give a copy of the report to your tenants.

If the engineer considers an device or installation to be immediately dangerous, they will ask permission to disconnect 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 a document that proves that the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are legally required 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 pipes, appliances, and flues are in good working condition and that they comply with safety standards.

The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record), following each 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 lease.

CP12 is the abbreviation used for the CORGI Proforma 12 that was used by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form identifies the date of the last gas inspection and tests, the results of these tests, any actions or issues 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 and the engineer will give advice on what should be done to make it safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediately dangerous or abnormally lethal, the gas supply must be shut off until the issue is solved.

If a tenant does not allow access for the gas safety checks to be carried out, it is a criminal offence. A landlord can ask the courts for an injunction if necessary, however it is generally easier to simply send a well written letter that explains the reasons why it is crucial that the checks are conducted and what they'll involve. This should encourage the tenant who is hesitant to allow access to the house. If not the landlord is not willing, he will have to initiate the eviction process.

How often should I get a Gas Safety Certificate?

The landlords and letting agencies are legally required to conduct an annual gas safety check on all flues and gas appliances that they supply to tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and that there aren't gas leaks within the property. This is a vitally important responsibility for landlords and they should make sure that they have their gas inspections completed by a licensed gas engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is a legal document that confirms that a gas inspection has been performed by a licensed engineer within the last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord and should be handed over to the tenant as proof of the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months and has to be renewed each year.

If a landlord does not provide their tenants with the Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be fined by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be carried out by landlords on time. They should also keep a copy in case tenants request it.

Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea because it lets engineers quickly access the appliances to conduct annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be at risk during an inspection the engineer will categorise it as such and shut off the boiler and suggest that tenants not to use it until the inspection hatch is installed.

Landlords are also required to give their tenants at least 24 hours' notice prior entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This gives tenants time to prepare for the visit and grant permission if needed. If a tenant does not allow the engineer's entry the landlord must explain why this is necessary and what would happen if the tenant refused. If the tenant is still refusing, then the landlord should look into evicting them pursuant to section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.

What happens if I don't receive a Gas Safety Certificate?

In short, it's a landlord's legal duty to ensure that their property is equipped with an approved gas safety certificate before tenants move into the property. Infractions to this law could result in the landlord being prosecuted or being fined a significant amount. The regulations state that landlords are required to provide copies of the gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.

Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord to conduct a gas inspection 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 the CP12 gas safety document, which is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.

This is a vital document that all tenants should get a hold of and keep. The document contains information about gas installations in a rental property, including when they were tested as well as 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 checked.

Landlords are required to provide their current and new tenants with a gas safety inspection report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. They must also provide a copy the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy commences. Landlords that fail to provide the the gas certificate could be prosecuted and could face unlimited fines, or six months in prison.

In the same way, landlords must make sure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange that they be tested every month. If an alarm is not working, the landlord gas safety certificate how often should make the necessary repairs. This applies to private landlords, councils and housing associations as well as licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation.

In June 2017 In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was unlawful for landlords to send Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official Gas Safety Certificate. The ruling was in accordance with the law that states that landlords of assured shorthold tenancies must obtain a record of their gas safety for their property prior to the time tenants move in.

How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that the gas appliances, flues, and pipework in their homes are safe for tenants. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. In order to comply with these regulations, landlords must conduct annual gas inspections on all gas appliances and flues that they supply for use within the property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be filled out by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.

Landlords should also consider performing a boiler inspection simultaneously with a CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Landlords can usually get a combined CP12 and boiler service for an affordable cost from a professional gas engineer who will be able to check 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 referred to by the term "landlord gas safety certificates's gas safety certificate" but it's actually called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It includes the results of the safety inspections, and details of any problems or actions that need to be taken care of. Landlords are required to provide their tenants the CP12 document within 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.

It's important that landlords or letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers to visit the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It is essential to inform tenants on the importance of allowing gas engineers access to the property. They should explain that the engineer's job is to protect them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to let access in it is the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility clarify the legal obligations in writing. Then follow with a visit to the property to force entry if needed.

Tenants should always ask to see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to entering the premises, as this will prove that they're competent to work on the gas systems in your home and are able to complete the gas safety check efficiently and effectively. You should also be aware that a gas engineer is able to legally shut off faulty equipment or cut off the gas supply in case of need.