Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys undergo annual inspections. The law also requires 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 cut off the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches be put in place.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that proves that all the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been checked by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are legally required conduct a gas safety inspection annually for each rental property they own. The inspection is carried out by an Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all of the pipework appliances, flues, and pipes are in good working condition and that they are in compliance with the safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record), following every 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 start of their tenure.
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 includes the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their results, any actions that must be taken, as well as the name and the title of the engineer who conducted the inspection.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance the engineer will provide advice on what needs to be done to ensure it is safe for use. If a device is deemed Immediately Dangerous, or Abnormally lethal, the gas supply must be disconnected until the problem has been resolved.
If a tenant refuses to permit access to the gas safety checks to be completed, it is an offence that is criminal. A landlord may apply to the courts for an injunction order should it be necessary, but it is generally easier to simply send a strongly written letter that explains the reasons why it is crucial that the checks are conducted and what they will entail. This will convince a tenant who is reluctant to let access in, and in the event that they do otherwise, the landlord could be required to begin the eviction process.
How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
In the law, landlords and agents for letting are required to conduct an annual safety check of all gas appliances and chimneys that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and that there aren't any leaks of gas in the property. This is an essential responsibility and landlords should ensure that they are inspected for gas by a licensed gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is a legal document that confirms that a gas inspection has been performed by a licensed engineer within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord, and should be presented to the tenant to verify the security of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months, and has to be renewed annually.
A landlord who is unable to provide an Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. It is therefore vital for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out at a timely basis and to keep a copy the certificate in case a tenant needs it.
Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea as it allows engineers to gain access to the appliances for annual inspections. The engineer will categorise the appliance as 'at-risk' and may suggest that tenants stop 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 does not allow access to the engineer the landlord has to explain the reason why it is necessary and what happens if the tenant refused. If the tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer entry, the landlord may consider evicting the tenant under section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if I don't get a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal obligation of a landlord to ensure that their property has a gas safety certificate valid prior to the time tenants move in. Failure to comply with this law could result in a landlord being prosecuted or being fined a significant amount. The regulations state that landlords must also furnish copies of gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord to perform an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will note any problems that could pose a danger to tenants. They will issue the CP12 gas safety certificate, which is known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is a crucial piece of documentation that every tenant must take possession of and keep. It contains information on the gas installations of the rental property, as well as details on when they were last tested and when they expire. It will help tenants recognize issues with their appliances or installations and make sure they know how to contact the Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.
Landlords are required to provide an inspection report on gas safety to their tenants, both current and new within 28 days of the date that the engineer has visited their property. They must also give a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy commences. Landlords who do not provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate can be prosecuted in accordance with the regulations and may be subject to unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.
The same way landlords must make sure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their properties and have them tested each month. The landlord is accountable for repairing an alarm that does not work. The rules around this apply to private, council and housing association landlords as well as to licensable houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In June 2017 the High Court decided that it was unlawful 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 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 are legally responsible for ensuring that gas appliances, flues and pipework in the properties they lease out are safe. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To be in compliance with the regulations landlords must conduct annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues they provide to tenants. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, and it has to be signed by a licensed Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
It's also recommended for landlords to consider having an annual boiler service performed simultaneously with the CP12 inspection, as this will ensure that all gas appliances are working correctly and safely. Landlords can usually get a combined CP12 and boiler service at a reasonable price from a qualified gas engineer. They will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for cracks and leaks cleaning the heat exchanger and burner and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 is often called "landlord's gas safety certificate" however it actually is called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It lists the results of all safety checks and the details of any actions or issues that need to be addressed. Landlords are required to give their tenants the 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 to conduct safety inspections and for maintenance. It's a good idea inform tenants about the necessity of allowing access, and explain that the gas engineer is there to help keep them safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If gas safety certificate and boiler service is hesitant to permit access it's the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility clarify the legal obligations in writing. Then follow up with a visit to the property to force entry if needed.
Tenants must always request to see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to entering the premises to ensure that they're qualified to work on the gas systems in your home and are able to complete the gas safety test efficiently and effectively. You should also be aware that a gas engineer is able to legally disconnect faulty equipment or cut off your gas supply if needed.