10 Things Everyone Has To Say About Gas Safety Certificate And Boiler Service

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. The law also requires that you give a copy of the check 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 suggest that inspection hatches be installed.

What is a Gas Safety Certificate?

A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document which demonstrates that all of the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been examined by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are legally required conduct a gas safety inspection once per year for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and verify that all pipework, appliances and flues are in compliance with safety regulations.

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 certificate should be provided to tenants within 28 days following the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their tenure.

CP12 is an abbreviation used for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was employed 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 actions that must be taken, and the name and title of the engineer who conducted the test.

If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas appliance and the engineer will give advice on what needs to be done to ensure it is safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediately dangerous or Abnormally Lethal, the gas supply must be disconnected until the issue has been resolved.

If a tenant is unwilling to allow access for the gas safety checks to be carried out, it is a criminal offence. If necessary the landlord has the right to ask the courts for a court order to enjoin the tenant from preventing gas safety inspections. However, it is usually easier to write a letter that describes why the check is vital and what is involved. This can convince a tenant who is reluctant to give access, and if otherwise, the landlord could have to think about starting the process of eviction.

How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords and letting agencies are legally required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on all gas appliances and flues that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that the equipment is safe to use and that there are no gas leaks within the property. This is a vitally important obligation and landlords must 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 an official document that proves that a gas inspection has been conducted by a qualified engineer within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and should also be given to the tenant in order to demonstrate the safety of gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and needs to be renewed every year.

A landlord who is unable to provide a Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. 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, since it allows engineers to gain access to the appliances to conduct annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be  in danger during an inspection the engineer will classify it as such and shut off the boiler and recommend that tenants not to use it until the inspection hatch is installed.

The landlords should also ensure that they provide their tenants with at least 24 hours notice prior to when they enter the property to carry out Gas Safety checks. This allows the tenants to prepare for the visit and give permission, if required. If a tenant is unwilling to permit the engineer to enter the landlord must write to them explaining why the engineer is required and what will happen if they don't comply. 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  landlord gas safety certificate cp12  don't own a Gas Safety Certificate?

It is the legal obligation of a landlord to ensure that their property has an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into. Failure to do this is an offense that could result in landlords being punished with severe fines. The regulations also state that landlords must provide a copy of the gas safety report to their tenants upon request.

Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to perform an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During  landlord gas safety certificate how often , an engineer will identify any issues that could pose a danger to tenants. The engineer will issue an CP12 Gas Safety Document, also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).

This is a crucial piece of documentation that every tenant should be able to access and keep. It includes information about the gas appliances in a rented property and also details on when they were last checked and the expiry dates. It can help tenants identify any issues with their appliances or installation and ensure that they know how to reach an Gas Safe engineer to have them checked.

Landlords must provide a gas safety report to their tenants, new and existing within 28 days of the date that the engineer has visited their property. They must also provide a copy the CP12 to the tenant on the day 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.

Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms and can 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 apply to council, private, 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 an official gas  safety certificate . The ruling was by reference to the law which states that landlords of assured shorthold tenancies must have an approved gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move into.

How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework within the properties they rent out are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 regulate this. To ensure compliance with the regulations landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks of all gas appliances and flues that they install to tenants. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate. It must be completed by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.

It is also recommended for landlords to think about having an annual boiler service performed at the same time as the CP12 inspection, as it will help ensure that all gas appliances are working properly and safely. Landlords can usually receive a combination CP12 and boiler service at an affordable cost from a qualified gas engineer who will be able to check the seals on boiler burners, inspect the flue system for leaks and cracks, clean the heat exchanger and burner and conduct general maintenance.

The CP12 is often known as "landlord's gas safety certificate" however it actually is known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It outlines the outcomes of all the safety checks and the details of any actions or issues that need to be addressed. Landlords must provide their tenants with 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 for safety checks and maintenance. It is crucial to educate tenants about the importance of allowing gas engineers access to the property and explain that the engineer's presence is necessary to safeguard them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to allow access it's the landlord's or letting agent's duty to explain the legal responsibilities in writing and then follow with a visit to the property to force entry if necessary.

Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to entering the property. This will ensure that the engineer is qualified to work with your home's systems and therefore be trusted to conduct the safety inspection. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally permitted to shut off any malfunctioning equipment and cut off your gas supply if necessary.