Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances chimneys, flues and chimneys are regularly inspected. The law also requires that you provide a copy the check to your tenants.
If
his explanation considers that a particular appliance or installation is immediately dangerous they will ask permission to cut off the supply of gas and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A landlord's gas safety certificate is an official document that certifies that all gas appliances and flues in the rental property were inspected by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are legally obliged to conduct a gas safety inspection every year for each rental property they own. The inspection is conducted by a Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all pipework, appliances, and flues are in good working order and that they comply with safety standards.
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 should be provided to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the beginning of their lease.
CP12 is the abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 that was used by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form shows the date of the last gas inspection or test, the results of these, any actions or issues that need to be addressed, and the name of the person who conducted the test.
The engineer will give advice on the spot if the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will include what needs to be corrected in order to ensure it is safe to use. If an appliance is deemed dangerous immediately or abnormally lethal, the gas supply must be disconnected until the problem 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 the landlord has the right to ask the courts for a court order to stop the tenant from refusing to allow gas safety checks. However, it's usually easier to send a letter which explains why the checks are essential and what will be involved. This should entice a tenant who is reluctant to allow access to the house. If not the landlord is not willing, he will have to start the eviction procedure.
How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agents are required by law to carry out an annual gas safety inspection on all gas appliances and flues that are supplied to tenants. This is to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks in the property. This is a vitally important obligation and landlords must be sure to get their gas inspections done by a qualified gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document that affirms that an engineer has completed a gas inspection within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and should be provided to the tenant to prove the safety of gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months and must be renewed every year.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants with a Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking 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 on time and keep a copy of the certificate in case a tenant needs it.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances to allow engineers to easily access them for inspections every year. The engineer will classify the appliance as being at-risk and may recommend that tenants refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords are also required to provide their tenants with at least 24 hours' notice prior to entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows tenants time to prepare and ask permission, if required. If a tenant refuses access to the engineer the landlord must explain the reason why it is necessary and what will happen in the event that the tenant refuses. 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 you don't possess a Gas Safety Certificate?
In essence it's the landlord's legal responsibility to ensure their property has a valid gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into. Failing to do so is an offence that can result in landlords being prosecuted and subject to severe fines. The regulations require 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 in order to perform an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will be able to identify any issues that may pose a risk for tenants. The engineer will then issue an CP12 Gas Safety Document, also known as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is a very important document that every tenant must keep. The document contains information about gas installations in a rental home and the dates they were tested and expiration dates. It can help tenants identify issues with their appliances and installations and make sure that they know how contact the Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.
Landlords are required to provide their new and current tenants with a gas safety report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. They must also give a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy starts. Landlords who do not provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate may be prosecuted under the rules and may be subject to unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.
Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms. They should also arrange for them to be tested every month. The landlord is responsible for fixing the problem if the alarm does not work. The rules for this are applicable to private, council 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 unlawful for landlords to issue Section 21 notices if they did not provide their tenants with a valid gas safety certification. The decision was based upon the law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to obtain a gas safety certification for their property prior to the time tenants move in.
How do I get 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. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 regulate this. To be in compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas inspections on all the gas appliances and flues they supply for use in the property.
cp12 certificate is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and must be completed by a qualified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also consider conducting a boiler inspection simultaneously with an CP12 inspection. This will ensure that the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Gas engineers can provide an integrated CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable price. They will inspect the boiler burner's seals and look for cracks and leaks in the flue system and clean the heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 is often known as "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it actually is called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of safety tests, as well as details of any problems or actions that must 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 the landlord or letting agent only permit Gas Safe registered engineers to visit the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It's a good idea to educate tenants on the importance of allowing access and explaining that the gas engineer is there to ensure they are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to permit access it is the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility explain the legal responsibilities in writing, and follow up with a visit to the property to force entry if necessary.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before they are allowed to enter the property. This will confirm that the engineer is competent to work on your home's systems and therefore be trusted to perform the safety check. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally allowed to disconnect faulty equipment and cut off your gas supply if necessary.