Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances as well as chimneys and flues are inspected annually. It is also your responsibility to provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer considers an appliance or installation to be immediately hazardous, they will request permission to shut off the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches are installed.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is an official document that certifies that all gas appliances and flues within the rental property have been checked by an accredited gas engineer. Landlords are legally required to arrange a gas safety check once per year for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and ensure that all pipes, appliances and flues comply with safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) at the time of 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 tenancy.
CP12 is the abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 that was used by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form shows the date of the last gas inspection and tests, the results of these tests, any actions or issues that need to be addressed, as well as the name of the person who conducted the test.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas appliance, the engineer will advise on what must be done to make it safe for use. If a device is deemed immediately dangerous or abnormally lethal the gas supply should be shut off until the issue has been resolved.
It is illegal to a tenant who refuses to allow the gas safety test to be conducted. If necessary landlords can apply to the courts for an order to prohibit the tenant from refusing to allow gas safety inspections. However, it is usually easier to send a letter which explains why the checks are important and what's involved. This should encourage a tenant who is reluctant to allow access to the property. If gas safety certificate grace period is not willing, he will have to initiate the eviction process.
How often should I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
The landlords and letting agencies are legally required to carry out an annual gas safety check on all gas appliances and flues that are supplied to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe to use and that there aren't any gas leaks in the property. This is a vitally important responsibility and landlords should be sure to are inspected for gas 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 conducted by a qualified engineer in the last 12 months. It is given to the landlord and must be handed over to the tenant to prove the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months and has to be renewed annually.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants with an 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 to keep a copy the documents in case a tenant requests it.
Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea, because it lets engineers easily access the appliances to conduct annual inspections. The engineer will categorise the appliance as being at-risk and may suggest that tenants refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords should also make sure that they provide their tenants with at least 24 hours notice prior to when they visit the property to conduct Gas Safety checks. This will allow tenants to prepare for the visit and give permission if needed. If a tenant refuses to permit the engineer to enter the landlord must send a letter to them explaining why it is necessary and what happens if they don't comply. If the tenant does not allow the engineer entry, the landlord can consider evicting the tenant under section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.
What is the consequence if you don't possess a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal responsibility of a landlord to ensure that their property has a gas safety certificate valid prior to the time tenants move into. Failure to do this is an offense that could cause landlords to be charged and liable to heavy fines. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must give an original copy of their gas safety certificate to their tenants on request.
Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to conduct an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will take note of any issues that could pose a risk for tenants. The engineer will then issue the CP12 Gas Safety Document, also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is a crucial document that all tenants should get a hold of and keep. This document contains information about gas installations in a rental property and the dates they were tested and expiration dates. It can help tenants identify any issues with their installation or appliances and make sure that they are aware of how to contact an Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords must give a gas safety report to their tenants, both new and current within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. The landlord is also required to provide a copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenure. Landlords who do not provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate may be prosecuted in accordance with the regulations and may be subject to unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
In the same way landlords must make sure that carbon monoxide detectors work in their properties and make arrangements for them to be checked every month. If the alarm is not functioning, the landlord has to make the necessary repairs. This applies to councils, private landlords, and housing associations as well as licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017 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 certificate. The decision was based on the law that stipulates that landlords with assured shorthold leases must have a gas safety record for their property prior to when tenants move in.
How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are required by law to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework in their homes are safe for tenants. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To be in compliance with these regulations, landlords must conduct annual gas inspections on all gas appliances and flues that they provide for use in the building. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be filled out by a licensed Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It's also recommended for landlords to think about having the boiler service completed simultaneously with the CP12 inspection, as this will help ensure that all gas appliances are working properly and safely. Landlords can usually obtain a combined CP12 and boiler service for a reasonable price from a qualified gas engineer, who can check the seals on boiler burners, inspect the flue system for cracks and leaks, clean the heat exchanger and burner and conduct general maintenance.
The CP12 document is often called the 'landlord's gas safety certificate', although it is officially called the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of safety checks, as well as specifics about any issues or actions that need to be addressed. 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 and letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and for maintenance. It's a good idea to inform tenants of the necessity of allowing access, and explaining that the gas engineer is there to protect them from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to permit access 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 compel 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 with your home's systems and therefore be trusted to carry out the safety check. It's also worth bearing in mind that the gas engineer is legally able to shut off any malfunctioning equipment and can shut off your gas supply when necessary.