Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As an owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys undergo annual checks. The law also requires that you give a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer considers an appliance or installation as being immediately dangerous, they will request permission to shut off the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches be put in place.
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 have been checked by an experienced gas engineer. Landlords are legally obliged to organize a gas safety check annually for each rental property they own. landlord gas safety certificate cost registered engineers carry the inspection and verify that all pipework, appliances and flues are in compliance with safety standards.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record), following each annual inspection and test for gas safety. This must be given to tenants in the 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the beginning of their tenure.
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 identifies the date of the last gas inspection and test, the results of these tests, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, as well as the name of the engineer who carried out the check.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance and the engineer will give advice on what should be done to ensure its safe use. If a gas appliance is found to be Immediately Dangerous or Abnormally Lethal the gas supply will have to be disconnected until the issue is solved.
It is illegal for a tenant to refuse to allow the gas safety inspection to be conducted. If needed the landlord has the right to ask the courts for an order to enjoin the tenant from preventing the gas safety checks. However, it is often easier to send a letter which describes why the check is vital and what is involved. This should encourage a tenant who is reluctant to allow access to the house. If not, the landlord will need to start the eviction procedure.
How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
In the law, landlords and let agents are required by law to conduct an annual gas safety inspection of all gas appliances and chimneys they offer to their tenants. gas safety certificate duplicate is done to ensure that the equipment is safe for them to use and that there are no gas leaks within the property. This is a vitally important obligation and landlords must ensure that they get their gas inspections done by a certified gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document which affirms that an engineer has completed a gas inspection within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and must be provided to the tenant in order to demonstrate the safety of 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 breaking the law and could be fined by the local authority. It is therefore essential for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out in a timely manner and keep a copy of the documentation in case a tenant needs it.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances, to allow engineers to easily access them for inspections every year. The engineer will classify the appliance as 'at-risk' and may suggest that tenants refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords must also give tenants at least 24 hours' notice before entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This gives tenants time to prepare and request permission if they need. If a tenant is refusing entry to the engineer the landlord must explain the reason why it is necessary and what will 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 is the consequence if I don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
In essence, it's a landlord's legal duty to ensure that their property is equipped with a valid gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move in. Failing to do so is an offence that can result in landlords being charged and liable to heavy fines. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must provide an original copy of their gas safety certificate to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord to conduct an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection, a Gas Safe registered engineer will be able to identify any issues that could pose a risk to tenants. They will issue a CP12 gas safety document, that 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 on the gas appliances 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 make sure they know how to contact an Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.
Landlords are required to provide their current and new tenants with a gas safety check report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. They must also provide a copy the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy starts. Landlords that fail to provide the copy of the gas certificate may be prosecuted and 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 that they be tested each month. The landlord is accountable for repairing any alarm that doesn't work. This applies to private landlords, councils and housing associations and also licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017 In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was illegal for landlords to send Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid Gas Safety Certificate. The decision was based upon a law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to have an official gas safety certificate for their property prior to when tenants move into it.
How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are required by law to ensure that the gas appliances, flues and pipework within their properties are safe for tenants. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To ensure compliance with the regulations landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks of all gas appliances and flues they provide for use in the property. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and it must be completed by a qualified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should consider having a boiler inspection done simultaneously with a CP12 inspection. This will ensure that the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Gas engineers can offer an integrated CP12 inspection and boiler service for a reasonable price. They will examine the seals on boiler burners, inspect for leaks and cracks in the flue system and clean the heat exchanger, and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes known as "landlord's gas safety certificate" but it is actually called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It includes the results of the safety checks, as well as specifics about any issues or actions that should be taken care of. Landlords are required to give their tenants a CP12 document no later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is essential that landlords and letting agents only permit Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property for safety inspections and maintenance. It's important to educate tenants on the importance of permitting gas engineers access to their property and explain that the engineer is there to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant refuses to allow access, the landlord or agent must outline the legal obligations in writing. They should then go to the property and force entry if necessary.
Tenants must always request to have a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to letting them in to prove that they're qualified to work on the gas systems in your home and is able to complete the gas safety inspection efficiently and efficiently. It's also worth bearing in mind that the gas engineer is legally allowed to disconnect faulty equipment and cut off your gas supply in the event of a need.