Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances as well as chimneys and flues are regularly inspected. You should also provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer considers an appliance or installation as being immediately dangerous they will ask for permission to disconnect the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches be installed.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A landlord gas safety certificate is a document that demonstrates that all of the gas appliances and flues have been checked by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are legally required arrange a gas safety check annually for each rental property they own. The inspection is performed 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 safety standards.
Landlords are also required by law to provide their tenants with copies of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) following each annual gas safety inspection and test. This should be provided to tenants in the 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the beginning of their tenure.
CP12 is an abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 which was employed by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before it was replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form contains the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, the results, any actions required to be taken, and the name and name of the engineer that conducted the test.
The engineer will offer advice if the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be corrected so that it is safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediate danger or Abnormally Lethal, the gas supply will need to be disconnected until the issue has been solved.
If a tenant is unwilling to permit access to the gas safety checks to be completed, it is an infraction that is punishable by law. If necessary, a landlord can ask the courts for an order to stop the tenant from preventing the gas safety checks. However, it is more common to send a letter that describes why the check is vital and what is involved. This will encourage tenants who are hesitant to allow access to the house. If not, the landlord will need to begin the eviction process.
How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
The law requires that landlords and let agents are required by law to conduct an annual gas safety inspection of all chimneys and gas appliances they offer to their tenants. This is done 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 vitally important responsibility for landlords and they should make sure that they are inspected for gas by a licensed gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is legal document that confirms that the gas inspection was performed by a licensed engineer within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and must be provided to the tenant in order to demonstrate the security of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and needs to be renewed each year.
If a Landlord Gas Safety Certificate Uk fails to provide their tenants with an Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be punished by the local authority. It is therefore crucial for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out in a timely manner and to keep a copy the documentation in the event that a tenant asks for it.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances, so that the engineers can easily access them for inspections every year. The engineer will classify the appliance as 'at-risk' and may suggest that tenants stop using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords are also required to give their tenants at least 24 hours' notice prior to entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows the tenants to prepare for the visit and provide permission if needed. If a tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry the landlord must send a letter to them explaining the reason for the visit and what will happen if they don't comply. If the tenant is unwilling 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 obligation of landlords to ensure that their property has an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move in. Failing to do so is an offence that can lead to landlords being prosecuted and subject to severe fines. The regulations also state that landlords must provide an original copy of their gas safety report to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property of the landlord to conduct an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection, the engineer will note any issues that could cause a threat to tenants. They will issue an 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 must keep. This document provides information on gas installations in a rental home as well as the date they were tested as well as their expiration dates. It can help tenants identify problems with appliances or installations and make sure that they are aware of how to contact an Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.
Landlords are required to provide their new and current tenants with a gas safety inspection 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 fail in providing the the gas certificate may be prosecuted and face unlimited fines, or six months in prison.
Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange that they be tested each month. If the alarm isn't working, the landlord must fix it. The rules for 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 decided that it was illegal for landlords to issue Section 21 notices if they did not provide their tenants with an official gas safety certificate. The decision was based on the law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to have a gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move in.
How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are required by law to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework in their homes are safe for tenants. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To be in compliance with these regulations, landlords must arrange annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues that they provide for use in the property. This is known as a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, and it has to be completed by a qualified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
It's also recommended for landlords to look into having an annual boiler service performed at the same time as the CP12 inspection, since it will help ensure that all the gas appliances are working correctly and safely. Landlords can usually receive a combination CP12 and boiler service for an affordable price from a professional gas engineer, who will be able to check the seals on boiler burners. They will also inspect the flue system for leaks and cracks cleaning the burner and heat exchanger and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes called "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it is actually called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of the safety inspections, and specifics of any issues or actions that must 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 essential that the landlords or letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers to access the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It's important to educate tenants about the importance of permitting gas engineers access to the property and explain that the engineer is there to safeguard them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant refuses to permit access, the landlord or agent must explain the legal obligations in writing. They should then go to the property and force entry if needed.
Tenants should always ask to be shown a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before they allow them into the home, as this will prove that they're qualified to work on your home's gas systems and can be trusted to complete the gas safety inspection efficiently and efficiently. It is also important to know that a gas technician can legally remove faulty equipment or cut off your gas supply if needed.