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 provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer deems any device or installation to be immediately dangerous they will request permission to shut off the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches are installed.
What is a 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 checked by an experienced gas engineer. Landlords are legally obliged to arrange a gas safety check annually for each rental property they own. The inspection is conducted by an Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all pipes, appliances, and flues are in good working condition and in compliance with safety standards.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record), following every annual inspection and test for gas safety. The certificate should be provided to tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their tenancy.
CP12 is an abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was used by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before it was replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form includes the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their results, any actions that need to be taken, and the name and the title of the engineer who performed the check.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance and the engineer will give advice on what must be done to make it safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediate danger or Abnormally Lethal, the gas supply must be disconnected until the issue is resolved.
If a tenant refuses to permit access to the gas security checks to be conducted it is an offence that is criminal. A landlord may apply to the courts for an injunction order if necessary, however it is generally easier to send a clearly worded letter explaining why it is essential that the checks are made and what they will entail. This should entice a tenant who is reluctant to allow access to the house. If not the landlord has to begin the eviction process.
How often do I need to renew my 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 appliances are safe to use and that there are no gas leaks in the building. Gas inspections are a vital obligation for landlords, and they must ensure they are conducted by a certified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is an official document that proves that a gas inspection has been conducted by a qualified engineer within the past 12 months. It is given to the landlord, and should be handed over to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for 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 punished by the local authority. It is therefore vital for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out in a timely manner and to keep a copy the documentation in the event that a tenant asks for it.
It's also a good idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances so that engineers can easily access them for inspections every year. The engineer will label the appliance as being at-risk and may suggest that tenants refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords must also give their tenants at least 24 hours' notice prior entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This gives tenants time to prepare and ask permission if they need. If a tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry the landlord must inform them why the engineer is required and what happens if they don't follow through. If the tenant still refuses then the landlord should look into evicting them pursuant to section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What is the consequence if I don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
In short it's a landlord's legal duty to ensure their property has an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into. Failing to do so is an offence that can result in landlords being charged and liable to heavy fines. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must give a copy of the gas safety certificate to their tenants on request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property of the landlord to conduct an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, the engineer will note any issues that could cause a threat to tenants. The engineer will issue the CP12 Gas Safety Document, which is also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is a crucial piece of documentation that every tenant must get a hold of and keep. This document contains information about gas installations in a rental home, including when they were tested and their expiration dates. It can help tenants identify issues with their appliances and installations and ensure that they are aware of how to contact an Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.
Landlords are required to provide their tenants, both new and existing, with a gas safety check report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. The landlord must also provide the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenancy. Landlords that fail to provide the copy of the gas certificate could be prosecuted and could face unlimited fines or even six months in prison.
In the same way landlords must make sure that carbon monoxide detectors work in their homes and have them tested every month. If an alarm is not working, the landlord must make the necessary repairs. The rules for this apply to council, private and housing association landlords as well as licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
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 a law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to have a gas safety certification for their property prior to the time tenants move into it.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that gas appliances, flues, and pipework within the properties they lease out are safe. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To be in compliance with these regulations, landlords must organize annual gas inspections of all the gas appliances and flues they supply for use in the property. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and must be completed by a qualified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
certificate cost is also a good idea for landlords to look into having a boiler service carried out at the same time as the CP12 inspection, as it will help ensure that all gas appliances are functioning correctly and safely. Landlords are usually able to receive a combination CP12 and boiler service at a reasonable price from a professional gas engineer. They will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners, inspect the flue system for cracks and leaks as well as clean the heat exchanger and burner and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 is often known as "landlord's gas safety certificate" but it actually is called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of safety checks, as well as specifics about any issues or actions that need to be taken care of. Landlords must give their tenants a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
It is important that landlords and letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property for safety inspections and maintenance. It is crucial to educate tenants about the importance of permitting gas engineers access to the property and explain that the engineer's job is to safeguard them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is reluctant to allow access, it's the landlord or letting agent's responsibility 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 allowing them to enter the property. This will confirm that the engineer is competent to work with your home's systems and therefore be trusted to conduct the safety check. You should also be aware that a gas engineer can legally disconnect faulty equipment or cut off your gas supply if needed.