Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

As an owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, flues and chimneys are inspected annually. You should also provide a copy to your tenants.

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

What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

A gas safety certificate issued by a landlord is an official document that proves that all gas appliances and flues in the rented property were inspected by an accredited gas engineer. Landlords must arrange the gas check for each rental property they own at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and verify that all pipes, appliances and flues conform with safety regulations.

Landlords are also required by law to provide tenants with copies of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) at the end of each year's gas safety inspection and test. The document should be handed out to tenants within 28 days following 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 employed by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before being replaced by the gas safety certificate how often Safe Register in 2009. The form identifies the date of the last gas inspection or test, the results, any actions or issues that need to be addressed, as well as the name of the person who conducted the inspection.

The engineer will offer advice in the event that the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will include what needs to be addressed to make it safe to use. If a gas appliance is found to be Immediately Dangerous, or Abnormally dangerous the gas supply needs to be shut off until the issue is resolved.

If a tenant refuses to allow access for the gas safety checks to be carried out it is an infraction that is punishable by law. If needed, a landlord can ask the courts for a court order to prohibit the tenant from preventing gas safety checks. However, it is often easier to send a letter which clarifies why the checks are essential and what will be involved. This will encourage 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?

In the law, landlords and let agents are required by law to conduct an annual safety check of all chimneys and homeowner gas safety certificate appliances that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and that there aren't gas leaks within the property. Gas inspections are a crucial obligation for landlords and they should ensure that they are completed by a qualified engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is a legal document that confirms that an inspection of the gas supply has been completed by a qualified engineer in the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord, and should be presented to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months and must be renewed every 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 vital for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out in a timely manner and keep a copy of the documents in case a tenant requests it.

It is also a good idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances to allow engineers to easily access them for annual inspections. The engineer will label the appliance as being at-risk and may suggest that tenants stop using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.

The landlords should also ensure that they give tenants at least 24 hours notice before they visit the property to perform Gas Safety checks. This will allow tenants to prepare for the visit and give permission if necessary. If a tenant is refusing entry to the engineer the landlord has to explain the reason why it is necessary and what would happen if the tenant refused. If the tenant continues to refuse then the landlord should consider evicting them using section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.

What happens if you don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?

It is the legal obligation of a landlord to make sure that their property is equipped with an official gas safety certificate that is valid prior to the time tenants move in. Failure to do this is an offense that could result in landlords being punished with severe fines. The regulations also stipulate that a landlord must provide a copy of the gas safety report to their tenants on request.

Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property for an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will take note of any issues that may present a danger for tenants. They will then issue an CP12 gas safety certificate that is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.

This is an important document that every tenant should keep. This document provides information on gas installations in rental properties and the dates they were tested as well as their expiration dates. It can assist tenants in identifying issues with their appliances or installations and make sure that they are aware of how to contact a Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.

Landlords must give a gas safe register duplicate certificate safety report to their tenants, both new and current, within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. They must also provide a copy the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy begins. Landlords who fail to provide the the gas certificate can be prosecuted and face unlimited fines, or six months in prison.

In the same way landlords must make sure that carbon monoxide detectors are in operation in their homes and arrange for them being tested each month. If an alarm is not working, the landlord should fix it. The rules around this are applicable to private, council and housing association landlords, as well as to licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

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 the law that stipulates that landlords with assured shorthold leases must have a gas safety certificates record for their property prior to when tenants move into the property.

How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

Landlords are required by law to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework within their properties are safe for tenants. 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 they install in the building. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate. It must be completed by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.

It's also a good idea for landlords to look into having the boiler service completed in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, as this will ensure that all the 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 safety certificate cp12 engineer who will be able to check the seals on boiler burners, inspect the flue system for cracks and leaks, clean the heat exchanger and burner and carry out general maintenance.

The CP12 document is commonly called the 'landlord's gas safety certificate', but it is actually the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of all the safety checks and the details of any actions or issues that require attention. Landlords are required to give their tenants a CP12 document not later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.

It's important that landlords or letting agents only permit Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises for safety checks and maintenance. It's a good idea inform tenants about the necessity of allowing access, and explaining that the gas engineer is there to help keep them safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant refuses to allow access the agent or landlord must explain the legal obligations in writing. They should then go to the property and force entry if required.

Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before entering the property. This will ensure that the engineer is competent to work with your home's systems and therefore be trusted to carry out the safety inspection. Be aware that a gas engineer is able to legally remove defective equipment or shut off your gas supply if needed.