Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

As a landlord, it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances as well as chimneys and flues are inspected every year. The law also requires that you provide a copy the check to your tenants.

If the engineer determines that a particular appliance or installation is imminently dangerous, they will request permission to cut off the supply of gas and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.

What is a Gas Safety Certificate?

A landlord's gas safety certificate is an official document that certifies that all gas appliances and flues within the rented property have been inspected by an experienced gas engineer. Landlords must arrange the gas check for each rental property they own at least once per year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and ensure that all pipes, appliances and flues conform with safety standards.

The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) at the time of each annual inspection and test for gas safety. The certificate should be provided to tenants within 28 days after the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their lease.

CP12 is an abbreviation used 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, their results, any steps required to be taken, and the name and title of the engineer who performed the check.

The engineer will provide advice on the spot if the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be addressed so that it is 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 has been fixed.

It is a crime for a tenant to refuse to let the gas safety inspection to be carried out. A landlord can apply to the courts for an injunction order if necessary, however it is usually much easier to simply send a strongly written letter that explains the reasons why it is crucial that the checks are made and what they'll involve. 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 renew my Gas Safety Certificate?

The law requires that landlords and letting agents are required to conduct an annual safety check of all chimneys and gas appliances they offer to their tenants. This is done to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and that there are no gas leaks in the building. This is a vitally important responsibility for landlords and they should be sure to are inspected for gas by a certified gas engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document which indicates that an engineer completed a gas check within the last 12 months. It is given to the landlord and must 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 a Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be penalized by the local authority. It is therefore crucial for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out on time and to keep a copy of the certificate in case a tenant requests it.

It's also an excellent idea for landlords to install inspection hatches on all gas appliances to allow engineers to 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 is installed.

Landlords are also required to provide their tenants with at least 24 hours' notice before entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This gives tenants time to prepare for the visit and provide permission if needed. If a tenant is refusing access to the engineer the landlord must explain the reason for this and what happens if the tenant refused. If the tenant is still refusing then the landlord should consider evicting them using section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.

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

In short it's the landlord's legal responsibility to ensure that their property is equipped with a valid gas safety certificate before tenants move into. Failing to do so is an offense that could cause landlords to be prosecuted and subject to severe fines. The regulations also state that landlords must provide an original copy of their gas safety record to their tenants upon request.

Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property 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 may pose a risk for tenants. The engineer will issue an CP12 Gas Safety Document, also known 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. It contains information on the gas installations in the rental property as well as information on when they were last checked and the expiry dates. It can help tenants spot any issues with their installation or appliances and make sure that they know how to contact a Gas Safe engineer to have them tested.

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

Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms. They should also arrange for them to be tested each month. If an alarm is not functioning, the landlord has to fix it. This is applicable to councils, private landlords, and housing associations, as well as licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation.

In June 2017, the High Court decided that it was illegal for landlords to issue Section 21 notices if they did not provide their tenants with a valid gas safety certification. The decision was based on a law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to have an official gas safety certificate for their property prior www.Mkgassafety.Co.uk to when tenants move into it.

How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords are legally responsible for ensuring that gas appliances, flues, and pipework in the properties they rent out are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 regulate this. To comply with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas inspections on all the gas appliances and flues that they install within the property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate. It must be signed by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.

It is also an excellent idea for landlords to consider having a boiler service carried out simultaneously with the CP12 inspection, as this will ensure that all the gas appliances are operating in a safe and efficient manner. Landlords can usually get a combined CP12 and boiler service at an affordable price from a professional gas engineer who can 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 sometimes called "landlord's gas safety certificate" but it is actually known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of the safety tests, as well as specifics about any issues or actions that need to be taken care of. 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 allow Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It is essential to inform tenants on the importance of giving gas engineers access to the property. They should explain that the engineer's job is to safeguard them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is reluctant to permit access, it's the landlord or letting agent's duty to explain the legal responsibilities in writing, and follow with a visit to the property to compel entry if needed.

Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to entering the property. This will prove that the engineer is competent to work with your home's systems and therefore be trusted to carry out the safety check. Be aware that a gas engineer can legally disconnect defective equipment or shut off your gas supply should it be required.