Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

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

If the engineer considers an appliance or installation to be immediately dangerous they will ask permission to cut off the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches are installed.

What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

A landlord gas safety certificate is a document which demonstrates that the gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a licensed gas safety certificate for landlords engineer. Landlords are legally obliged to organize a gas safety check every year for each rental property they own. The inspection is carried out by an Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all pipework, appliances, and flues are in good working condition and that they comply with safety regulations.

The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) at the time of every annual inspection and test for gas safety. 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 the abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 that was used by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form outlines the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their results, any actions that need to be taken, and the name and name of the engineer who conducted the test.

If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas appliance, the engineer will advise on what should be done to make it safe for use. If an appliance is deemed dangerous immediately or abnormally lethal the gas safety certificate how often supply needs to be shut off until the issue is resolved.

It is illegal for a tenant to refuse to allow the gas safety check to be carried out. If needed landlords can apply to the courts for an order to enjoin the tenant from preventing the gas safe certificate check safety inspections. However, it is usually easier to send a letter that explains why the checks are vital and what is required. This can convince a tenant who is reluctant to allow access and, in the event that they do not, the landlord may need to consider starting the process of eviction.

How often should I get a Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords and letting agents are legally required to conduct an annual safety check on all gas appliances and flues that are supplied 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 an essential responsibility and landlords should ensure that they 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 confirms that an engineer has completed a gas inspection in the last 12 months. It is given to the landlord and should be given to the tenant to prove the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months, and has to be renewed annually.

A landlord who fails to provide the Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. It is therefore vital for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out at a timely basis and to keep a copy of the certificate in the event that a tenant asks 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. The engineer will classify the appliance as 'at-risk' and may suggest that the tenant refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.

Landlords must also provide their tenants with at least 24 hours' notice before entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows tenants time to plan their inspection and request permission, if required. If a tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer access the landlord must inform them why it is necessary and what will happen if they don't comply. If the tenant does not allow the engineer entry, the landlord could consider evicting the tenant under section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.

What happens if I don't get a Gas Safety Certificate?

It is the legal responsibility of landlords to ensure that their property has an approved gas safety certificate before tenants move into. Failing to do so is an offence that can cause landlords to be charged and liable to heavy fines. The regulations also state that landlords must give an original copy of their gas safety record to their tenants on 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, a Gas Safe registered engineer will be able to identify any issues that could pose a risk to tenants. The engineer will issue a 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 be able to access and keep. This document contains information about gas installations in rental properties as well as the date they were tested and expiration dates. It will help tenants recognize issues with their appliances or installations and make sure they know how contact a Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.

Landlords are required to provide their tenants, both new and existing, with a gas safety report within 28 days of the engineer's visit to their property. They must also provide a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy commences. Landlords who fail to provide a copy of the gas safety certificate can be prosecuted in accordance with the regulations and could face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.

The same way landlords must ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are in operation in their properties and have them checked every month. If the alarm is not working, the landlord should make the necessary repairs. This is the case for councils, private landlords, and housing associations, and also licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.

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 a valid gas safety certification. The decision was based on the law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to have a gas safety certification for their property before tenants move into it.

How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that gas appliances, flues, and pipework in the homes they lease are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. To be in compliance with these regulations, landlords must arrange annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues they install within the property. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be filled out by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.

It's also recommended for landlords to think about having an annual boiler service performed in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, as this will ensure that all gas appliances are working properly and safely. Landlords are usually able to receive a combination CP12 and boiler service for an affordable price from a professional gas engineer, who will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for cracks and leaks as well as clean the burner and heat exchanger and conduct general maintenance.

The CP12 document is often known as the 'landlord's gas safety certificate' although it is officially called the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of the safety checks, as well as specifics about any issues or actions that should be taken care of. Landlords must provide their tenants the CP12 document within 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.

It's important that landlords or letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises to conduct safety checks and for maintenance. It's a good idea educate tenants on the necessity of allowing access, and explain that the gas engineer is there to protect them from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to permit access it is the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility clarify the legal obligations in writing, and follow up with a visit to the property to compel entry if needed.

Tenants should always have a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before letting them in to ensure that they're qualified to work on the gas systems in your home and is able to complete the gas safety inspection efficiently and efficiently. It's also worth bearing in mind that the gas engineer is legally able to shut off any malfunctioning equipment and can shut off gas lines in the event of a need.