Five People You Need To Know In The Gas Safety Certificate And Boiler Service Industry

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 give a copy of the report to your tenants.

If the engineer considers that any appliance or installation is immediate danger, they will request permission to shut off gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.

What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

A gas safety certificate issued by a landlord is an official document that certifies that all gas appliances and flues that are in the property that is rented were inspected by an accredited gas engineer. The landlord must arrange for a gas check for each rental property they own at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and ensure that all pipework, appliances and flues are in compliance with safety standards.

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. This should be given to tenants within 28 days following the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their tenancy.

CP12 is an abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 which was used by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before it was replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form identifies the date of the last gas inspection or test, the results of these, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, as well as the name of the engineer who carried out the test.

The engineer will offer advice in the event that the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be addressed in order to ensure it is safe to use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediately dangerous or Abnormally Lethal the gas supply will need to be turned off until the problem is solved.

If a tenant refuses to allow access for gas safety checks to be carried out it is a criminal offence. A landlord can apply to the courts for an injunction should it be necessary, but it is usually much easier to simply send a strongly written letter stating the reasons why it is crucial that the checks are conducted and what they will entail. This will encourage the tenant who is hesitant to allow access to the property. If not the landlord is not willing, he will have to initiate the eviction process.

How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?

In the law, landlords and agents for letting are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection of the chimneys and gas appliances that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe to use and that there aren’t any gas leaks within the property. This is a vitally important obligation and landlords must make sure that they have their gas inspections completed by a qualified gas engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is a legal document that confirms that the gas inspection was performed by a licensed engineer within the last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord and must be given to the tenant as proof of the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months, and has to be renewed annually.

A landlord who is unable to provide the Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. Gas Safety checks must be completed by landlords in time. They should also keep a copy of the certificate in case tenants request it.

It is also an excellent 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 has been installed.

Landlords must also give their tenants at least 24 hours’ notice prior entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows tenants time to prepare and ask permission if needed. If a tenant is refusing the engineer’s entry, the landlord must explain the reason for this and what happens in the event that the tenant refuses. If the tenant continues to refuse, then the landlord should 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 fitted with an official gas safety certificate that is valid before tenants move in. Failing to do so is an offence that can result in landlords being prosecuted and subject to severe fines. The regulations also state that a landlord must provide an electronic copy of the gas safety certificate to their tenants on request.

Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord to conduct a gas inspection on all gas appliances. During the inspection, the engineer will note any issues that could pose a risk for tenants. The engineer will issue an CP12 Gas Safety Document, also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).

This is an important document that every tenant must take possession of and keep. This document provides information on gas installations in a rental home and the dates they were tested as well as their expiration dates. It will help tenants recognize issues with their appliances and installations and make sure that they know how to contact a Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.

Landlords are required to provide their tenants, both new and existing, with a gas safety check report within 28 days of the engineer visiting their property. The landlord must also give an original copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords who do not provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted under the regulations and could face unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.

Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms. They can also arrange for them to be tested every month. The landlord is responsible for fixing the problem if the alarm does not work. The rules around this apply to council, private, and housing association landlords, as well as to licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was illegal for landlords to send Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official Gas Safety Certificate. The decision was made by reference to the law which states that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must have a gas safety record for their property prior to when tenants move into the property.

How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework in the homes they lease are safe. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To comply with the regulations landlords must conduct annual gas checks of all gas appliances and flues that they install for use in the property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be filled out by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.

It’s also an excellent idea for landlords to think about having a boiler service carried out in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, since this will help ensure that all gas appliances are functioning in a safe and efficient manner. Landlords can usually receive a combination CP12 and boiler service at a reasonable price from a qualified gas engineer who can check the seals on boiler burners, inspect the flue system for cracks and leaks as well as clean the burner and heat exchanger and conduct general maintenance.

The CP12 is sometimes referred to by the term “landlord’s gas safety certificate” but it’s actually known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It lists the results of all safety inspections and the details of any actions or problems that need to be addressed. Landlords are required to provide their tenants the CP12 document not later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.

It is crucial that landlords and letting agents only permit Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property for safety inspections and maintenance. It is a good idea to educate tenants on the necessity of allowing access, and explain that the gas engineer is there to protect them from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant does not allow access the agent or landlord must explain the legal obligations in writing. Then, they should visit the property and force entry if needed.

Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to allowing them to enter the property. This will confirm that the engineer is competent to work on the systems in your home and can therefore be trusted to conduct the safety inspection. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally allowed to cut off any defective equipment and can cut off your gas supplies in the event of a need.