Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, Mkgassafety.co.uk it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances chimneys, flues and chimneys are inspected every year. The law also requires that you give a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer considers an appliance or installation as being immediately dangerous they will ask for permission to cut off the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches are installed.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is an official document that certifies that all gas appliances and flues in the rental property have been inspected by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords must arrange a gas check for each rental property they have at least once a year. The inspection is performed by a Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all pipes and appliances as well as flues are in good working condition and that they are in compliance with safety standards.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record), following each annual inspection and test for gas safety. This should be given to tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start 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 shows the date of the last gas inspection and tests as well as the results, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, as well as the name of the person who performed the check.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance the engineer will provide advice on what should be done to ensure its safe use. If a gas appliance is found to be Immediately Dangerous or abnormally lethal, the gas supply will have to be shut off until the issue is resolved.
If a tenant is unwilling to allow access for the gas security checks to be conducted it is an offence that is criminal. A landlord can ask the courts for an injunction order if necessary, however it is generally more efficient to send a clearly written letter that explains the reasons why it is crucial that the checks are made and what they'll involve. This should encourage tenants who are hesitant to let 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?
Landlords and letting agencies are legally required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection 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 obligation and landlords must be sure to are inspected for gas by a certified gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document which affirms that an engineer has completed a gas check within the last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord and must be provided to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months, and must be renewed annually.
If a landlord does not provide their tenants with the Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be punished by the local authority. 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's also a good idea for landlords to put inspection hatches on all gas appliances so that the engineers can easily access the hatches for annual inspections. The engineer will classify the appliance as being at-risk and may suggest that the tenant refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords must also ensure that they give their tenants at least 24 hours notice prior to when they enter the property to carry out Gas Safety checks. This allows tenants time to plan their inspection and request permission if needed. If a tenant is refusing entry to the engineer, the landlord must explain the reason why it is necessary and what will happen if the tenant refused. If the tenant does not 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 I don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?
In essence, it's a landlord's legal duty to ensure that their home has a valid gas safety certification before tenants move into the property. Failure to comply with this law can result in the landlord being charged or fined severely. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must give an original copy of their gas safety report to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property for an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will identify any issues that could pose a danger to tenants. The engineer will then issue the CP12 Gas Safety Document, also known as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is a crucial document that every tenant should keep. It contains information about the gas installations of the rental property, as well as details regarding when they last tested and their expiry dates. It can help tenants spot any issues with their appliances or installations and ensure they know how to reach a Gas Safe engineer to have them tested.
Landlords are required to provide their new and current tenants with a gas safety check report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. The landlord is also required to provide an original copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords who fail to provide the copy of the gas certificate could be charged and face unlimited fines or even six months in prison.
Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange that they be tested every month. The landlord is responsible for fixing the problem if the alarm does not work. The rules for this apply to council, private, and housing association landlords and also to licensable houses of multiple Occupation (HMOs).
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 upon a law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold leases to obtain a gas safety certification 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. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To comply with the regulations, landlords are required to organize annual gas inspections of all the gas appliances and flues they install within the property. This is known as a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, and it has to be completed by a certified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also consider performing a boiler inspection at the same time as an CP12 inspection. This will ensure that the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Gas engineers can provide an integrated CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable price. They will check the boiler burner's seals as well as look for leaks and cracks within the flue system, clean the heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 document is often known as the 'landlord's gas safety certificate', but it is actually the Gas Safety Record documentation. It includes the results of the safety checks, as well as specifics about any issues or actions that must be addressed. Landlords are required to provide their tenants a CP12 document not later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is crucial that landlords and letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and for maintenance. It is essential to inform tenants on the importance of allowing gas engineers access to the property. They should explain that the engineer's job is to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If a tenant is hesitant to permit access, it's the landlord or letting agent's responsibility to explain the legal responsibilities in writing, and follow with a visit to the property to force entry if needed.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before allowing them to enter the property. This will ensure that the engineer has the necessary qualifications to work with your home's systems and therefore be trusted to conduct the safety check. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally permitted to shut off any malfunctioning equipment and can cut off your gas supply in the event of a need.