Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, flues and chimneys are inspected annually. It is also your responsibility to provide a copy to your tenants.

If the engineer believes that any appliance or installation 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?

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

The law also requires landlords to give tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) after every annual inspection and test for gas safety. The document should be handed out to tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their tenancy.

CP12 is the abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 that was used by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form outlines the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their results, any actions that need to be taken, as well as the name and the title of the engineer who performed the test.

The engineer will provide advice if the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be fixed to make it safe to use. If an appliance is deemed to be Immediately Dangerous or Abnormally Lethal, the gas supply will need to be turned off until the problem has been solved.

If a tenant does not allow access for the gas security checks to be conducted it is an offence that is criminal. A landlord may apply to the courts for an injunction 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 made and what they'll involve. This can encourage a reluctant tenant to let access in, and in the event that they do otherwise, the landlord could have to think about starting the eviction process.

how to get gas safety certificate often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords and letting agents are legally required to carry out an annual gas safety inspection on all gas appliances and flues that are supplied to tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and that there aren't any gas leaks within the property. Gas inspections are an essential obligation for landlords, and they should ensure that they are completed by a certified engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document that indicates that an engineer completed a gas check within the last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord, and should be handed over to the tenant to prove the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and has to be renewed every year.

If a landlord is unable to provide their tenants with a 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 at a timely basis and to keep a copy the documents in case a tenant needs it.

It is also an excellent idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances, so that engineers can easily access them for annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be 'at risk' during an inspection the engineer will categorise it as such and will shut off the boiler and advise that the tenant refrain from using it until the inspection hatch has been installed.

The landlords should also ensure that they provide their tenants with a minimum of 24 hours notice before they enter the property to carry out Gas Safety checks. This gives tenants time to prepare and request permission if needed. If a tenant is refusing access to the engineer, the landlord must explain the reason for this and what happens should the tenant refuse. If the tenant continues to refuse the engineer entry, then the landlord must look into evicting them pursuant to section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.

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

It is the legal responsibility of a landlord to ensure that their property is equipped with an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into. Failure to adhere to this law can result in a landlord being prosecuted or fined heavily. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must provide a copy of the gas safety record to their tenants upon request.

Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property for an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, the engineer will note any issues that may cause a threat for tenants. They will then issue an CP12 gas safety document, which is known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.

This is a crucial document that every tenant should be able to access and keep. The document contains information about gas installations in a rental property as well as the date they were tested as well as their expiration dates. It can help tenants identify any issues with their installation or appliances and ensure they are aware of how to contact an Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.

Landlords are required to provide their new and current tenants with a gas safety check report within 28 days of the engineer visiting their property. The landlord must also provide a copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords that fail to provide the copy of the gas certificate may be prosecuted and could face unlimited fines or six months in prison.

Similar to this landlords must ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are in operation in their homes and make arrangements for them to be tested every month. If the alarm is not working, the landlord must fix it. This is applicable to councils, private landlords, and housing associations, and also licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.

In June 2017 the High Court ruled that it was unlawful for landlords to issue Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official gas Safety Certificate. The decision was based on the law that states that landlords of assured shorthold leases must have an approved gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move into the property.

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

Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that the gas appliances, flues and pipework in their properties are safe for tenants. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To comply with the regulations landlords are required to conduct annual gas inspections of all 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 certified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.

It is also a good idea for landlords to consider having the boiler service completed simultaneously with the CP12 inspection, since this will help ensure that all gas appliances are operating in a safe and efficient manner. Landlords can typically get a combined CP12 and boiler service at an affordable cost from a qualified gas safety certificate how often engineer who will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners. They will also inspect the flue system for leaks and cracks cleaning the burner and heat exchanger and conduct general maintenance.

The CP12 document is often referred to as the 'landlord gas safety certificate', but it is actually the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of safety inspections, and details of any problems or actions that need to be addressed. Landlords must give their tenants a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.

It is essential that the landlord or letting agent only permit Gas Safe registered engineers to access the property to conduct safety certificates inspections and maintenance. It's a good idea to inform tenants about the necessity of allowing access, and explain that the gas engineer is there to ensure they are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling 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 they are allowed to enter the property. This will ensure that the engineer is competent to work on the systems in your home and can therefore be trusted to conduct the safety check. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally able to disconnect faulty equipment and can cut off your gas supply in the event of a need.