Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

As a landlord, it’s your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances as well as chimneys and flues are inspected annually. landlord safety certificate requires you provide a copy the check to your tenants.

If the engineer determines that any appliance or installation is imminently dangerous, they will request permission to cut off gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.

What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document which demonstrates that all the gas appliances in the rental property and flues have been inspected by a licensed gas engineer. Landlords are legally obliged to arrange a gas safety check annually for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and ensure that all pipework, appliances and flues conform with safety standards.

The law also requires landlords to give tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) after each annual inspection and test for gas safety. The certificate should be provided to tenants within 28 days after the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their tenure.

CP12 is an abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was used 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 and the results of these, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, and the name of the person who performed the test.

If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas appliance, the engineer will advise on what needs to be done to make it safe for use. If a device is deemed Immediately Dangerous, or Abnormally dangerous the gas supply needs to be disconnected until the problem is fixed.

If a tenant refuses to permit access to the gas security checks to be conducted it is an offence that is criminal. If necessary the landlord has the right to ask the courts for an order to prohibit the tenant from preventing the gas safety inspections. However, it’s more common to send a letter that describes why the check is vital and what is involved. This should entice tenants who are hesitant to let access to the property. If not the landlord has to start the eviction procedure.

How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?

In the law, landlords and letting agents are required to conduct an annual safety check of all gas appliances and chimneys they offer to their tenants. This is to ensure that the equipment is safe for them to use and to ensure that there aren’t gas leaks in the building. This is a crucial responsibility and landlords should make sure that they get their gas inspections done by a qualified gas engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is legal document that confirms that a gas inspection has been performed by a licensed engineer within the past 12 months. landlord safety certificate is issued by the landlord and must be provided to the tenant to verify the security of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and has to be renewed each year.

If a landlord is unable to provide their tenants with a Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be penalized by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be performed by landlords on time. They should also keep a copy of the certificate in case tenants ask for it.

It is also a good idea for landlords to put inspection hatches on all gas appliances to allow engineers to easily access the hatches for annual inspections. The engineer will classify the appliance as being at-risk and may suggest that tenants refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.

Landlords must also give their tenants at least 24 hours’ notice prior entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows the tenants to prepare for the visit and grant permission, if required. If a tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry the landlord should write to them explaining why the engineer is required and what will happen in the event that they do not comply. If landlord safety certificate refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord can think about evicting the tenant in accordance with section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.

What is the consequence if you don’t possess a Gas Safety Certificate?

It is the legal obligation of a landlord to ensure that their property is equipped with an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move in. Failure to do this is an offense that could cause landlords to be punished with severe fines. The regulations state that landlords must also provide copies of gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.

Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord in order to perform a gas inspection on all gas appliances. During the inspection, the engineer will note any issues that may cause a threat to tenants. They will issue a CP12 gas safety document, which is known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.

This is an important document that every tenant should keep. It contains information on the gas appliances in a rental property as well as information regarding when they last checked and the expiry dates. It can help tenants spot any issues with their appliances or installations and make sure that they know how to contact an Gas Safe engineer to have them tested.

Landlords must provide 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 an original copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenure. Landlords who fail to provide the copy of the gas certificate may be prosecuted and could face unlimited fines, or six months in prison.

Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange for them to be tested every month. If the alarm is not working, the landlord should make the necessary repairs. The rules for this apply to council, private and housing association landlords as well as licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

In June 2017 the High Court ruled that it was illegal for landlords to serve Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid gas Safety Certificate. The decision was in accordance with the law that states that landlords of assured shorthold leases must have a record of their gas safety for their property prior to the time tenants move in.

How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords are legally responsible to make sure that the gas appliances, flues, and pipework within their properties are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 regulate this. In order to comply with the regulations, landlords are required to arrange annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues that they provide for use in the building. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be filled out by a licensed Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.

It is also recommended for landlords to look into having an annual boiler service performed simultaneously with the CP12 inspection, as this will ensure that all the gas appliances are operating correctly and safely. Landlords can usually receive a combination CP12 and boiler service at an affordable price from a qualified gas engineer, who will be able to check the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for cracks and leaks, clean the heat exchanger and burner and conduct general maintenance.

The CP12 is sometimes called “landlord’s gas safety certificate” however it’s actually known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of all safety checks and the details of any actions or problems 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 or letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers to visit the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It is a good idea to inform tenants about the importance of allowing access and explaining that the gas engineer will help keep them safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to let access in, it’s the landlord or letting agent’s duty to clarify the legal obligations in writing and then follow by visiting the property to force entry if necessary.

Tenants must always request to see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before entering the premises, as this will prove that they’re competent to work on the gas systems in your home and is able to complete the gas safety inspection efficiently and effectively. You should also be aware that a gas engineer is able to legally shut off faulty equipment or cut off your gas supply should it be required.