Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

As a landlord, it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances chimneys, flues and chimneys are inspected annually. The law also requires that you give a copy of the check to your tenants.

If the engineer considers that a particular appliance or installation is immediately dangerous they will ask permission to cut off gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.

What is a Gas Safety Certificate?

A gas safety certificate for landlords (mouse click the next page) is a document that proves that the gas appliances and flues have been checked by a licensed gas engineer. Landlords are legally required conduct a gas safety inspection every year for each rental property they own. The inspection is performed by a Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all pipes, appliances, and flues are in good working condition and that they are in compliance with the safety regulations.

Landlords are also required by law to provide tenants with an original copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) following each annual gas safety inspection and test. The certificate should be given to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the beginning of their tenure.

CP12 is the abbreviation used for the CORGI Proforma 12 that was used by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form lists the date of the last gas inspection and tests as well as the results of these tests, any actions or issues that need to be addressed, as well as the name of the person who performed the test.

The engineer will give advice if the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will include what needs to be fixed to make it safe to use. If a gas safe register duplicate certificate appliance is found to be Immediately Dangerous or abnormally lethal, the gas supply will have to be shut off until the issue is solved.

It is a crime for a tenant to refuse to let the gas safety test to be carried out. A landlord can apply to the courts for an injunction order in the event of need, but it is generally easier to send a clearly written letter stating the reasons why it is crucial that the checks are conducted and what they will involve. This should convince a tenant who is reluctant to give access, and if not, the landlord might need to consider starting the process of eviction.

How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords and letting agencies are legally required to conduct an annual safety check on all gas appliances and flues that are supplied to their tenants. This is to ensure that the equipment is safe for them to use and that there are no gas leaks in the building. Gas inspections are a vital obligation for landlords, and they must ensure they are carried out by a certified engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is an official document that proves that the gas inspection was completed by a qualified engineer in the last 12 months. It is given to the landlord and should be handed over to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months and has to be renewed annually.

If a landlord gas safety certificates does not provide their tenants with an Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be fined by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be carried out by landlords on time. They should also keep a copy in the event that tenants request it.

Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea as it allows engineers to quickly access the appliances to conduct annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be in danger during an inspection, the engineer will formally classify it as such and will shut off the boiler and recommend that the tenant refrain from using it until the inspection hatch is installed.

The landlords should also ensure that they give their tenants at least 24 hours notice prior to when they enter the property to conduct Gas Safety checks. This gives tenants time to prepare for the visit and provide permission if necessary. If a tenant is refusing the engineer's entry the landlord must explain why this is necessary and what would happen in the event that the tenant refuses. If the tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord could consider evicting the tenant under section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.

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

In short, it's a landlord's legal duty to ensure their property has an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into. Infractions to the law can lead to the landlord being prosecuted or fined heavily. The regulations stipulate that landlords are required to provide copies of the gas safety certificates 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, the engineer will note any issues that may cause a threat for tenants. The engineer will then issue an CP12 Gas Safety Document, also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).

This is a vital piece of documentation that every tenant should get a hold of and keep. This document provides information on gas installations in a rental home as well as the date they were tested and their expiration dates. It will help tenants recognize any issues with their installation or appliances and ensure they are aware of how to contact a Gas Safe engineer to have them checked.

Landlords are required to provide an inspection report on gas safety to their tenants, new and existing within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. The landlord must also provide an original copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords who fail to provide a copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted in accordance with the regulations and face unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.

Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms. They should also arrange for them to be tested each month. If an alarm is not working, the landlord must repair it. This applies 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 serve Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid gas Safety Certificate. The ruling was based on a law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to have a gas safety certificate for their property prior to when tenants move in.

How do I get a Gas Safety certificate cost (GSC)?

Landlords are required by law to ensure that the gas appliances, flues and pipework in their homes are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 regulate this. In order to comply with these regulations, landlords must arrange annual gas checks on all the gas appliances and flues they supply for use within the property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate and it must be filled out by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.

Landlords should consider conducting a boiler service and gas safety certificate inspection at the same time as an CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are working properly and safely. Gas engineers can offer the combination CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable price. They will check the seals of boiler burners, inspect for cracks and leaks in the flue system and clean the heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.

The CP12 document is commonly known as the 'landlord's gas safety certificate', although it is officially called the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of all safety checks and the details of any actions or problems that require attention. Landlords must provide their tenants with a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.

It is crucial that landlords or letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises to conduct safety checks and for maintenance. It's a good idea to inform tenants about the necessity of allowing access, and explaining that the gas engineer will ensure they are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is reluctant to allow access it is the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility clarify the legal obligations in writing, and follow up with a visit to the property to force entry if needed.

Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before they are allowed to enter the property. This will confirm that the engineer is qualified to work on the systems in your home and can therefore be trusted to conduct the safety inspection. It is also important to know that a gas engineer is able to legally shut off defective equipment or shut off your gas supply if needed.