Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service As an owner, it is your responsibility to ensure all gas appliances, flues and chimneys undergo annual checks. It is also your responsibility to give a copy of the report to your tenants. If the engineer considers that any installation or appliance is immediate danger, they will request permission to disconnect gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches. What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)? A landlord gas safety certificate is a document which demonstrates that all of the gas appliances in the rental property and flues have been checked by a licensed gas engineer. Landlords must arrange the gas check for each rental property that they own at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry out the inspection and check that all pipes, appliances and flues comply with safety regulations. Landlords are also legally required to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) following each annual gas safety inspection and test. This should be provided to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the start of their tenancy. CP12 is the abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 that was employed by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form lists the date of the last gas inspection or test as well as the results, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, and the name of the person who performed the test. The engineer will offer advice on the spot if the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be corrected to make it safe to use. If an appliance is deemed to be Immediately Dangerous or Abnormally Lethal the gas supply must be turned off until the problem is resolved. If a tenant does not allow access for gas safety checks to be completed the tenant is guilty of an offence that is criminal. A landlord can ask the courts for an injunction if necessary, however it is generally easier to simply send a well written letter that explains why it is essential that the checks are conducted and what they will involve. This will encourage tenants who are hesitant to allow access to the property. If not the landlord is not willing, he will have to initiate the eviction process. How often do gas safety certificate cp12 need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate? The law requires that landlords and letting agents are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on 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 gas leaks in the property. Gas inspections are an essential responsibility for landlords, and they must ensure that they are carried out by a qualified 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. It is issued by the landlord and must be presented to the tenant to verify the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months, and must be renewed annually. If a landlord fails to provide their tenants with the Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be penalized 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 ask for it. Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea since it allows engineers to quickly access the appliances for annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be in danger during an inspection the engineer will declare it to be at risk and shut off the boiler and recommend that the tenant refrain from using it until the inspection hatch is installed. The landlords should also ensure that they give tenants a minimum of 24 hours notice before they enter 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 the engineer's entry, the landlord must explain why this is necessary and what happens if the tenant refused. If the tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord could think about evicting the tenant in accordance with section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act. What happens if I don't receive a Gas Safety Certificate? It is the legal responsibility of landlords to ensure that their property is fitted with an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into. Infractions to this law could result in the landlord being charged or being fined a significant amount. The regulations also stipulate that a landlord must provide an original copy of their gas safety report to their tenants on request. Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to conduct an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, the engineer will note any issues that may cause a threat for tenants. They will then issue a CP12 gas safety certificate which is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate. This is a very important document that every tenant should keep. It contains information on the gas installations in a rented property and also details on when they were last checked and the expiry dates. It will help tenants recognize issues with their appliances and installations and ensure that they know how contact an Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked. 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. They must also provide a copy the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy starts. Landlords who do not provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate can be prosecuted in accordance with the regulations and face unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment. Similar to this landlords must make sure that carbon monoxide detectors are in operation in their homes and arrange for them being checked every month. If the alarm is not working, the landlord should repair it. The rules governing 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 unlawful for landlords to serve Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid Gas Safety Certificate. The decision was based upon a law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to have a gas safety certificate for their property prior to when tenants move in. How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)? Landlords are legally responsible for ensuring that gas appliances, flues, and pipework in the properties they lease are safe. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To be in compliance with these regulations, landlords must organize annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues they provide for use in the property. This is known as a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and it must be completed by a qualified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection. It's also an excellent idea for landlords to look into having an annual boiler service performed simultaneously with the CP12 inspection, since this will ensure that all the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Gas engineers can offer an integrated CP12 inspection and boiler service for a reasonable price. They will inspect the boiler burner's seals and look for leaks and cracks within the flue system, clean the heat exchanger and carry out general maintenance. The CP12 is often known as landlord's gas safety certificate however it actually is known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It outlines the outcomes of all the safety checks and details of any actions or issues that require attention. 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 maintenance. It is a good idea to inform tenants about the necessity of allowing access, and explain that the gas engineer is there to protect them from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is reluctant to let access in it is the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility to explain the legal responsibilities in writing. Then follow with a visit to the property to force entry if needed. Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to allowing them to enter the property. This will ensure that the engineer is qualified to work on your home's systems and therefore be trusted to conduct the safety check. Be aware that a gas engineer is able to legally shut off defective equipment or shut off your gas supply if needed.
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