Beware Of These “Trends” Concerning Gas Safety Certificate And Boiler Service

Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

As a landlord it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, chimneys and flues are inspected annually. The law also requires you provide a copy of the check to your tenants.

If the engineer considers that any appliance or installation is immediate danger, they will request permission to shut off gas supply and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.

What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document which demonstrates that all the gas appliances in the rental property and flues have been inspected by a licensed gas engineer. Landlords are legally required to organize a gas safety check annually for each rental property they own. The inspection is performed by a Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all of the pipework and appliances as well as flues are in good working order 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) at the time of every annual inspection and test for gas safety. The certificate should be given to tenants in the 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the start of their tenure.

CP12 is an abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 which was used by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before it was replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form lists the date of the last gas inspection and test as well as the results of these, any actions or issues that need to be addressed, as well as the name of the engineer who carried out the inspection.

The engineer will give advice if the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be corrected to make it safe to use. If an appliance is deemed dangerous immediately or abnormally dangerous the gas supply should be shut off until the issue is fixed.

If a tenant does not permit access to the gas safety checks to be carried out the tenant is guilty of a criminal offence. A landlord can ask the courts for an injunction order should it be necessary, but it is generally more efficient to simply send a strongly written letter that explains why it is essential that the checks are carried out and what they’ll involve. This will encourage the tenant who is hesitant to allow access to the house. If not the landlord is not willing, he will have to start the eviction procedure.

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

In the law, landlords and agents for letting are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on the chimneys and gas appliances that they provide to their tenants. This is done to ensure that the equipment is safe for them to use and that there are no gas leaks in the building. Gas inspections are an essential obligation for landlords and they must ensure they are completed by a certified engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document that affirms that an engineer has completed a gas inspection in the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and should also be given to the tenant in order to demonstrate the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months, and must be renewed each year.

If a landlord fails to provide their tenants with a 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 in all gas appliances is a good idea, as it allows engineers to gain access to the appliances for annual inspections. The engineer will categorise the appliance as ‘at-risk’ and may suggest that tenants refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.

Landlords are also required to provide their tenants with at least 24 hours’ notice prior entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This will allow tenants to prepare for the visit and give permission, if required. If a tenant refuses entry to the engineer, the landlord must explain the reason for this and what happens in the event that the tenant refuses. If the tenant is still refusing then the landlord should think about evicting them under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.

What happens if I don’t receive a Gas Safety Certificate?

In essence it is the landlord’s legal obligation to ensure that their property is equipped with an approved gas safety certificate before tenants move in. Failure to do this is an offense that could cause landlords to be prosecuted and subject to severe fines. The regulations stipulate that landlords must also provide copies of gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.

Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to conduct a gas check on all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will be able to identify any issues that may present a danger to tenants. They will issue the 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 should take possession of and keep. It includes information about the gas installations of the rental property, as well as details regarding when they last tested and when they expire. It can help tenants spot any issues with their appliances or installation and ensure that they know how to reach a Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.

Landlords must provide a gas safety report to their tenants, current and new within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. The landlord is also required to provide the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenure. Landlords who fail to provide a copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted under the rules and face unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.

Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms and can arrange that they be tested every month. If the alarm is not functioning, the landlord has to make the necessary repairs. This is applicable to private landlords, councils and housing associations, as well as licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.

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 certificate. The decision was made based on the law that states that landlords of assured shorthold tenancies must have a record of their gas safety for their property prior to the time tenants move into the property.

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

Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework in the properties they lease out are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 deal with this. In order to comply with these regulations, landlords must arrange annual gas checks on all the gas appliances and flues that they supply for use within the property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be signed by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.

It is also recommended for landlords to consider having a boiler service carried out in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, as this will ensure that all the gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Gas engineers can offer an integrated CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable cost. They will examine the boiler burner’s seals as well as look for leaks and cracks within the flue system and clean the heat exchanger, and carry out general maintenance.

The CP12 is often known as “landlord’s gas safety certificate” but it’s actually called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of safety tests, as well as specifics about any issues or actions that need to be taken care of. Landlords must provide their tenants a CP12 document within 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.

It’s important that the landlord or letting agent only allow Gas Safe registered engineers to access the property to conduct safety checks and for maintenance. It’s important to educate tenants on the importance of giving gas engineers access to their property and explain that the engineer’s job is to protect them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If a tenant is hesitant to permit access, it’s the landlord or letting agent’s responsibility clarify the legal obligations in writing, and follow with a visit to the property to force entry if necessary.

Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to entering the property. This will prove that the engineer is competent to work with your home’s systems and can therefore be trusted to perform the safety check. It’s important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally allowed to cut off any defective equipment and cut off your gas supplies in the event of a need.