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 you give a copy of the check to your tenants.

If the engineer determines that an device or installation to be immediately hazardous, they will request permission to cut off the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches be installed.

What is what is a landlord gas safety certificate is a Gas Safety Certificate?

A landlord gas safety certificate is a document which demonstrates that all of the gas appliances and flues have been checked by a certified gas engineer. Landlords are legally required organize 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 order and in compliance with the safety regulations.

The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas safety certificates Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) after every 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 beginning of their lease.

CP12 is an abbreviation of 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, their results, any actions required to be taken, as well as the name and name of the engineer that conducted the inspection.

The engineer will give advice if the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will include what needs to be corrected so that it is safe for use. If a device is deemed dangerous immediately or abnormally lethal the gas supply needs to be disconnected until the problem is fixed.

If a tenant refuses to permit access to the gas safety checks to be completed, it is a criminal offence. A landlord can apply to the courts for an injunction order should it be necessary, but it is generally more efficient to simply send a well written letter that explains the reason why the checks are conducted and what they will entail. This should entice tenants who are hesitant to let access to the property. If not the landlord has to begin the eviction process.

How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords and letting agencies are legally required to carry out an annual safety check on all flues and gas appliances that they provide to tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and that there aren't leaks of gas in the property. This is a crucial responsibility for landlords and they should be sure to get their gas inspections done by a certified gas engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is legal document that confirms that an inspection of the gas supply has been completed by a qualified engineer within the past 12 months. It is issued to the landlord, and should be given to the tenant as proof of the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months and must be renewed annually.

A landlord who is unable to provide an Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. Gas Safety checks must be completed by landlords in time. They must also keep a copy in the event that tenants request it.

It's also a good idea for landlords to put inspection hatches on all gas appliances, so that engineers can easily access them for annual inspections. The engineer will label the appliance as 'at-risk' and may recommend that tenants stop using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.

Landlords should also make sure that they give tenants at least 24 hours notice prior to when they enter the property to perform Gas Safety checks. This allows the tenants to prepare for the visit and give permission, if required. If a tenant does not allow entry to the engineer, the landlord must explain why this is necessary and what will happen if the tenant refused. If the tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer entry, the landlord can decide to evict the tenant under section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.

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

It is the legal obligation of a landlord to ensure that their property is equipped with a gas safety certificate valid before tenants move into. Failure to do this is an offence that can cause landlords to be charged and liable to heavy fines. The regulations state that landlords must also provide copies of the gas safety records to their tenants upon request.

Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to conduct a gas check on all gas appliances. During the inspection, the engineer will note any issues that could pose a risk to tenants. They will issue a CP12 gas safety document, which is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.

This is an important document that every tenant must take possession of and keep. It contains information about the gas installations in a rented property, as well as details regarding when they last tested and when they expire. It will help tenants recognize problems with appliances or installations and ensure that they know how contact an Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.

Landlords are required to provide a gas safety report to their tenants, current and new within 28 days of the date that the engineer has visited their property. The landlord must also provide the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenure. Landlords who do not provide a copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted under the rules and could face unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.

Similar to this, landlords should ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their properties and arrange for them being checked every month. The landlord is responsible for repairing the problem if the alarm does not work. The rules for this apply to council, private, and housing association landlords, and also to licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was illegal for landlords to issue Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid gas safety certificate duplicate Safety Certificate. The decision was based on a law that requires landlords with assured shorthold tenancies to obtain a gas safety certificate for their property prior to when tenants move into it.

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

Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework within their properties are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. To comply with the regulations landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues they provide to tenants. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate. It must be filled out by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.

Landlords should consider conducting a boiler inspection simultaneously with a CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are working properly and safely. Gas engineers can offer an integrated CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable cost. They will check the seals on boiler burners as well as look for leaks and cracks in the flue system and clean the heat exchanger, and carry out general maintenance.

The CP12 is sometimes referred to by the term "landlord's gas safety certificate" however it actually is known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of all safety inspections and the details of any actions or problems that need to be resolved. Landlords must provide their tenants the CP12 document within 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.

It is important that landlords and letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and for maintenance. It's a good idea to educate tenants on the necessity of allowing access, and explaining that the gas engineer will help keep them safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If a tenant is hesitant to let access in it's the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility to clarify the legal obligations in writing, and follow up with a visit to the property to force entry if necessary.

Tenants should always be shown a gas safety certificate duplicate Safe ID card from the engineer prior to letting them in to ensure that they're competent to work on your home's gas systems and is able to complete the gas safety test efficiently and effectively. It's important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally permitted to disconnect faulty equipment and cut off your gas supply if necessary.