Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

As an owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys undergo annual inspections. You should also provide a copy to your tenants.

If the engineer determines that an device or installation to be immediately dangerous they will ask for permission to shut off the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches be put in place.

What is the definition of a Gas Safety Certificate?

A gas safety certificate for landlords is an official document that proves that all gas appliances and flues that are in the rental property have been inspected by an accredited gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange an annual gas inspection for each rental property that they own at least once per year. The inspection is conducted by an Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all of the pipework and appliances as well as flues are in good working condition and that they comply with safety standards.

Landlords are also required by law to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) after each annual gas safety inspection and test. This should be given to tenants within 28 days after the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning 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 includes the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their results, any steps required to be taken, as well as the name and the title of the engineer who performed the check.

The engineer will give advice in the event that the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will include the items that need to be fixed in order to ensure it is safe to use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediately dangerous or abnormally dangerous the gas supply needs to be shut off until the issue has been resolved.

If a tenant is unwilling to permit access to the gas security checks to be conducted, it is an infraction that is punishable by law. If needed, a landlord can ask the courts for an order to stop the tenant from preventing the gas safety inspections. However, it is usually easier to write a letter that clarifies why the checks are important and what's required. This can convince a tenant who is reluctant to allow access and, if not, the landlord might have to think about starting the process of eviction.

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

The landlords and letting agencies are required by law to conduct an annual gas safe certificate check safety inspection on all flues and gas appliances that they provide to tenants. This is to ensure that the equipment is safe to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks within the property. This is a crucial responsibility for landlords and they should be sure to are inspected for gas by a certified gas engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is legal document that confirms that a gas inspection has been completed by a qualified engineer in the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord, and should be provided to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months, and must be renewed each year.

A landlord who does not provide an Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. Gas Safety checks must be performed by landlords on time. They must 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 quickly access the appliances for annual inspections. The engineer will classify the appliance as being at-risk and may suggest that tenants refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.

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

What happens if you don't own a Gas Safety Certificate?

In short, it is the landlord's legal obligation to ensure that their property is equipped with a valid gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into the property. Failing to do so is an offense that could lead to landlords being charged and liable to heavy fines. The regulations also state that landlords must give a copy of the gas safety certificate to their tenants on request.

Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to conduct an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will be able to identify any issues that could be a threat to tenants. They will then issue a CP12 gas safety certificate which is known as the landlord gas safety certificates Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.

This is a crucial piece of documentation that all tenants should take possession of and keep. It contains information about the gas appliances in a rental property as well as information on when they were last checked and the expiry dates. It will help tenants recognize any issues with the appliances or installations and ensure they are aware of how to reach an Gas Safe engineer to have them tested.

Landlords are required to provide their new and current tenants with a gas safety inspection report within 28 days of the engineer's visit to their property. The landlord must also give a copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords who do not 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.

In the same way landlords must make sure that carbon monoxide detectors work in their homes and arrange for them being tested each month. If the alarm is not working, the landlord must repair it. The rules around this are applicable to council, private and housing association landlords, as well as 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 certification. The ruling was by reference to the law which states that landlords with assured shorthold leases must have an approved 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 to make sure that the gas appliances, flues and pipework in their homes are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 deal with this. To be in compliance with these regulations, landlords must arrange annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues that they supply for use within the property. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate and it must be signed by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.

It's also recommended for landlords to think about having the boiler service completed in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, since it will help ensure that all the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Landlords are usually able to get a combined CP12 and boiler service at an affordable price from a professional gas engineer. They will be able to check the seals on boiler burners. They will also inspect the flue system for cracks and leaks, clean the burner and heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.

The CP12 document is often referred to as the 'landlord gas safety certificate', although it is officially called the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of safety checks, as well as specifics of any issues or actions that should be addressed. Landlords are required to give tenants a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.

It is crucial that landlords and letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property for safety inspections and maintenance. It's a good idea inform tenants about the necessity of allowing access, and explain that the gas engineer will ensure they are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is reluctant to permit access it's the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility to explain the legal responsibilities in writing. Then follow with a visit to the property to compel entry if needed.

Tenants should always ask to see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to they allow them into the home to ensure that they're competent to work on your home's gas systems and is able to complete the gas safety test efficiently and effectively. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally able to disconnect faulty equipment and can shut off gas safety certificate grace period lines when necessary.