Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances chimneys, flues and chimneys are inspected annually. It is also your responsibility to provide a copy to your tenants.

If the engineer considers that a particular appliance or installation is immediate danger the engineer will request permission to cut off gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.

What is a Gas Safety Certificate?

A landlord gas safety certificate is a document that demonstrates that all of the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been examined by a licensed gas engineer. The landlord must arrange for the gas check for each rental property they have at least once a year. The inspection is conducted by an Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all of the pipework appliances, flues, and pipes are in good working condition and that they are in compliance with safety regulations.

The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) after every annual inspection and test for gas safety. The certificate should be given to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any 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, the results, any steps that must be taken, as well as the name and title of the engineer that conducted the check.

If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance, the engineer will advise on what needs to be done to make it safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be Immediately Dangerous, or Abnormally lethal the gas supply should be turned off until the issue has been resolved.

If a tenant refuses to allow access for the gas safety checks to be carried out the tenant is guilty of an offence that is criminal. A landlord gas safety certificates can apply to the courts for an injunction order in the event of need, but it is generally easier to send a clearly written letter stating the reason why the checks are conducted and what they will entail. This can convince a tenant who is reluctant to let access in, and if not, the landlord may be required to begin the eviction process.

How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?

In the law, landlords and letting agents are required to conduct an annual safety check of the chimneys and gas appliances they offer to their tenants. This is to ensure that the equipment is safe to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks within the property. Gas inspections are a vital obligation for landlords, and they must ensure that they are completed by a qualified engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document which indicates that an engineer completed a gas check 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 a period of 12 months and has to be renewed every year.

If a landlord is unable 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. Gas Safety checks must be performed by landlords on time. They should also keep a copy of the certificate in the event that tenants request it.

Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea as it allows engineers to gain access to the appliances to conduct annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be 'at risk' during an inspection the engineer will classify it as such and will shut off the boiler and recommend that tenants not to use it until the inspection hatch has been installed.

Landlords must also give their tenants at least 24 hours' notice prior entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows tenants to prepare and request permission if needed. If a tenant does not allow the engineer's entry, the landlord must explain why this is necessary and what happens if the tenant refused. If the tenant does not allow the engineer entry, the landlord could consider evicting the tenant under section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.

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

In essence, it is the landlord's legal obligation to ensure that their home has a valid gas safety certification prior to the time tenants move in. Failure to adhere to this law can result in a landlord being prosecuted or being fined a significant amount. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must give 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 in order to perform an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, the engineer will note any issues that could cause a threat for tenants. The engineer will issue an CP12 Gas Safety Document, which is also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).

This is a vital document that all tenants should get a hold of and keep. It contains information on the gas installations 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 the appliances or installations and make sure that they are aware of how to contact a Gas Safe engineer to have them tested.

Landlords are required to provide their current and new tenants with a gas safety report within 28 days of the engineer visiting their property. They must also provide a copy the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy commences. Landlords who do not provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate replacement safety certificate can be prosecuted under the regulations and could face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.

In the same way, landlords must make sure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange that they be tested each month. The landlord is responsible for fixing any alarm that doesn't work. The rules around this are applicable to council, private, and housing association landlords as well as to licensable houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

In June 2017 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 an official gas safety certificate. The decision was based upon the law that requires landlords with assured shorthold tenancies to obtain an official gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move into it.

How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

Landlords are legally responsible to make sure that the gas appliances, flues, and pipework in 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 conduct annual gas checks of all gas appliances and flues they supply to tenants. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and must be signed by a licensed Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.

It's also recommended for landlords to think about having a boiler service carried out at the same time as the CP12 inspection, as this will ensure that all the gas appliances are working properly and safely. Landlords are usually able to obtain a combined CP12 and boiler service for Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service an affordable price from a professional gas engineer who will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners, inspect the flue system for leaks and cracks, clean the burner and heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.

The CP12 is sometimes known as "landlord's gas safety certificate" however it actually is called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It outlines the outcomes of all the safety checks and details of any actions or problems that need to be resolved. Landlords are required to give their tenants the CP12 document not later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.

It is crucial that landlords and letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and for maintenance. It is essential to inform tenants about the importance of giving gas engineers access to the property. They should explain that the engineer's presence is necessary to safeguard them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant does not allow access, the landlord or agent must explain the legal obligations in writing. They should then visit the property and force entry if necessary.

Tenants should always see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to entering the premises, as this will prove that they are properly qualified to work on the gas systems in your home and can be trusted to complete the gas safety check efficiently and effectively. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally allowed to cut off any defective equipment and can i get a copy of my gas safe certificate shut off gas lines if necessary.