Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, flues and chimneys undergo annual inspections. The law also requires you provide a copy of the check to your tenants.
If the engineer determines that an device or installation to be immediately dangerous they will ask for permission to cut off the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches be put in place.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate?
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 required to arrange an annual gas inspection for each rental property they own at least once per year. The inspection is conducted by an Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all pipework appliances, flues, and pipes are in good working condition and that they comply with safety regulations.
Landlords are also required by law to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) at the end of each year's gas safety inspection and test. The certificate should be provided to tenants within 28 days after the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their tenancy.
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 identifies the date of the last gas inspection or test as well as the results of these, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, as well as the name of the person who performed the check.
The engineer will offer advice in the event that the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will include what needs to be addressed in order to ensure it is safe to use. If a gas appliance is found to be dangerous immediately or abnormally dangerous, the gas supply must be turned off until the issue has been resolved.
It is a crime to a tenant who refuses to let the gas safety check to be conducted. If necessary landlords can apply to the courts for an order to prohibit the tenant from preventing gas safety inspections. However, it's usually easier to write a letter that describes why the check is essential and what will be involved. This should entice tenants who are hesitant to let access to the property. If not, the landlord will need to start the eviction procedure.
How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
In the law, landlords and let agents are required by law to conduct an annual gas safety inspection of all 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 within the property. This is a vitally important responsibility and landlords should be sure to get their gas inspections done by a qualified gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is a legal document that confirms that the gas inspection was performed by a licensed engineer within the past 12 months. It is issued by the landlord, and should be presented to the tenant in order to demonstrate the safety of gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months and has to be renewed each year.
If a landlord does not provide their tenants with an Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be penalized by the local authority. It is therefore crucial for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out on time and to keep a copy the documents in case a tenant needs it.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to put inspection hatches on all gas appliances so that engineers can easily access the hatches for annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be at risk during an inspection, the engineer will formally categorise it as such and shut off the boiler and suggest that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords must also ensure that they give their tenants at least 24 hours notice prior to the time they visit the property to perform Gas Safety checks. This allows the tenants to prepare for the visit and grant permission, if required. If a tenant does not permit the engineer to enter the landlord must write to them explaining why it is necessary and what will happen if they don't follow through. If simply click the up coming article refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord may consider evicting the tenant under section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if I don't receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal obligation of a landlord to ensure that their property has an official gas safety certificate that is valid before tenants move in. Failure to adhere to the law can lead to the landlord being prosecuted or fined severely. The regulations also stipulate that a landlord must provide an electronic copy of the gas safety record to their tenants on request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord in order to perform an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will identify any issues that could be a threat to tenants. They will then issue the CP12 gas safety certificate, which is known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is an important piece of documentation that every tenant must get a hold of and keep. The document contains information about gas installations in a rental property and the dates they were tested and their expiration dates. It can help tenants identify issues with their 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 check report within 28 days of the engineer's visit to their property. They must also provide a copy the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy commences. Landlords who fail in providing the the gas certificate could be prosecuted and face unlimited fines, or six months in prison.
Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms. They should also arrange that they be tested every month. The landlord is accountable for repairing an alarm that does not work. This is the case for councils, private landlords, and housing associations as well as 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 leases to obtain an official gas safety certificate for their property prior to when tenants move into it.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally responsible for ensuring that gas appliances, flues and pipework in the properties they lease are safe. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To comply with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas inspections on all the gas appliances and flues that they provide for use in the property. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be filled out by a licensed Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also think about conducting a boiler inspection simultaneously with the CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Gas engineers can provide the combination CP12 inspection and boiler service for a reasonable price. They will inspect the boiler burner's seals as well as look for leaks and cracks in the flue system, clean the heat exchanger, and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 is often known as "landlord's gas safety certificate" however it is actually known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of the safety inspections, and details of any problems or actions that must be taken care of. Landlords must provide their tenants with a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being 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's a good idea to inform tenants of the necessity of allowing access, and explaining that the gas engineer is there to ensure they are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is reluctant to allow access it's the landlord's or letting agent's duty to clarify the legal obligations in writing. Then follow with a visit to the property to force entry if needed.
Tenants must always request to have a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before letting them in to ensure that they are properly qualified to work on the gas systems in your home and is able to complete the gas safety test efficiently and effectively. It's important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally allowed to disconnect faulty equipment and can shut off your gas supply if necessary.