A New Trend In Gas Safety Certificate And Boiler Service
Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, chimneys and flues are regularly inspected. The law also requires that you provide a copy the check to your tenants.
If the engineer considers an appliance or installation as being immediately hazardous, they will request permission to cut off the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches are installed.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is an official document that confirms that all gas appliances and flues within the property that is rented have been inspected by an accredited gas engineer. The landlord must arrange for a gas check for each rental property they own at least once per year. The inspection is performed by a Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all of the pipework, appliances, and flues are in good working order and in compliance with the 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 current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the beginning of their lease.
CP12 is an abbreviation used for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was employed by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) prior to being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form shows the date of the last gas inspection or test as well as the results, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, and the name of the engineer who carried out the inspection.
The engineer will give advice on the spot if the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be fixed in order to ensure it is safe to use. If a device is deemed immediately dangerous or abnormally dangerous, the gas supply must be turned off until the issue is resolved.
It is illegal to a tenant who refuses to allow the gas safety inspection to be conducted. A landlord may apply to the courts for an injunction if necessary, however it is usually much easier to simply send a well written letter that explains why it is essential that the checks are conducted and what they will entail. This should entice the tenant who is hesitant to let access to the property. If not, the landlord will need to begin the eviction process.
How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
The law requires that landlords and letting agents are required to conduct an annual safety check of all gas appliances and chimneys they offer to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe to use and that there aren't leaks of gas in the property. Gas inspections are a vital obligation for landlords, and they must ensure they are carried out by a qualified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document which affirms that an engineer has completed a gas check within the last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord, and should be provided to the tenant as proof of the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months, and has to be renewed every 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 fined by the local authority. 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.
It's also a good idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances to allow engineers to easily access the hatches for annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be in danger during an inspection the engineer will declare it to be at risk and will shut off the boiler and recommend that the tenant refrain from using it until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords must also give tenants at least 24 hours' notice prior to entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This will allow tenants to prepare for the visit and give permission if needed. If a tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer access the landlord must inform them why the engineer is required and what will happen if they don't follow through. If the tenant still refuses the engineer entry, then the landlord must consider evicting them using section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What is the consequence if you don't possess a Gas Safety Certificate?
In short it's the landlord's legal responsibility to ensure that their property is equipped with a valid gas safety certification prior to the time tenants move into. In the absence of this, it's an offence that can cause landlords to be charged and liable to heavy fines. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must give an electronic copy of the gas safety certificate to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to perform an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will be able to identify any issues that could cause a threat for tenants. The engineer will then issue a CP12 Gas Safety Document, which is also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).
This is an important document that every tenant must get a hold of and keep. It includes information about the gas appliances in a rental property as well as information about when they were last tested and when they expire. It can assist tenants in identifying issues with their appliances or installations and make sure they are aware of how to contact a Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.
Landlords must provide the gas safety report to their tenants, new and existing within 28 days of the date that the engineer has visited their property. The landlord is also required to provide the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords who fail to provide the the gas certificate (visit this page) could be prosecuted and face unlimited fines, or six months in prison.
Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties have working 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 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 illegal for landlords to issue Section 21 notices if they did not provide their tenants with an official gas safety certificate. The decision was based on the law that states that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must obtain an approved gas safety certificate for their property before tenants move into.
how much for landlords gas safety certificate can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that gas appliances, flues, and pipework in the properties they rent out are safe. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To comply with these regulations, landlords must arrange annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues that they install within the property. This is known as a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and must be completed by a certified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also think about performing a boiler inspection in conjunction with the CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are working properly and safely. Gas engineers can offer an integrated CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable cost. They will check the seals of boiler burners, inspect for leaks and cracks in the flue system, clean the heat exchanger, and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 document is often referred to as the 'landlord gas safety certificate', however, it is officially referred to as the Gas Safety Record documentation. It lists the results of all safety inspections and details of any actions or issues that need to be addressed. Landlords must provide their tenants a CP12 document not later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is important that landlords and letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property for safety inspections and maintenance. It's a good idea to inform tenants of the importance of allowing access and explain that the gas engineer is there to ensure they are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to permit access the agent or landlord must explain the legal obligations in writing. They should then go to the property and force entry if needed.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to allowing them to enter the property. This will prove that the engineer is competent to work on your home's systems and can therefore be trusted to perform the safety inspection. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas safe certificate check engineer is legally allowed to disconnect faulty equipment and can shut off gas lines if necessary.