Be On The Lookout For: How Gas Safety Certificate And Boiler Service Is Taking Over And What We Can Do About It

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 checks. You should also provide a copy to your tenants.

If  his explanation  deems any device or installation to be immediately dangerous, they will request permission to cut off the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches be installed.

What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

A landlord gas safety certificate is a document which demonstrates that all of the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been checked by a licensed gas engineer. Landlords are legally required to conduct a gas safety inspection annually for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry out the inspection and check that all pipes, appliances and flues are in compliance with safety regulations.

Landlords are also legally required to give their tenants copies of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) after each annual gas safety inspection and test. This should be provided to tenants in the 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the start of their tenancy.

CP12 is an abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 which was employed by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form contains the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, the results, any steps that must be taken, and the name and title of the engineer who performed the inspection.

If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas appliance the engineer will provide advice on what must be done to ensure it is safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be Immediately Dangerous or abnormally lethal, the gas supply must be turned off until the problem has been resolved.

It is illegal to a tenant who refuses to allow the gas safety check to be conducted. A landlord can apply to the courts for an injunction order in the event of need, but it is generally more efficient to send a clearly written letter that explains the reason why the checks are made and what they'll involve. This should encourage the tenant who is hesitant to allow access to the house. If not the landlord is not willing, he will have to initiate the eviction process.

How often should I get a Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords and letting agencies are required by law to carry out an annual gas safety check on all gas appliances and flues that they supply to tenants. This is to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks in the building. This is a crucial responsibility and landlords should make sure that they are inspected for gas by a qualified gas engineer.

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

A landlord who fails to provide a Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. Gas Safety checks must be carried out by landlords on time. They must also keep a copy of the certificate in case tenants request it.

Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea, as it allows engineers to gain access to the appliances to conduct annual inspections. The engineer will categorise the appliance as  being at-risk and may recommend that tenants refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.

Landlords are also required to provide their tenants with at least 24 hours' notice prior to entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This gives tenants time to prepare and request permission, if required. If a tenant does not allow access to the engineer the landlord has to explain why this is necessary and what would happen should the tenant refuse. If the tenant still refuses, then the landlord should look into evicting them pursuant to section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.

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

In essence it is the landlord's legal obligation to ensure their property has a valid gas safety certificate before tenants move into. In the absence of this, it's an offense that could result in landlords being prosecuted and subject to severe fines. The regulations require that landlords must also furnish copies of the gas safety records to their tenants upon request.

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

This is a vital piece of documentation that all tenants should take possession of and keep. It includes information about the gas appliances in the rental property as well as information on when they were last tested and when they expire. It can help tenants identify any issues with the installation or appliances and ensure they are aware of how to contact an Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.

Landlords are required to provide their current and new tenants with a gas safety check report within 28 days of the engineer visiting their property. The landlord must also provide a copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords who fail in providing the copy of the gas certificate may be charged and face unlimited fines or six months in prison.

The same way, landlords should ensure that carbon monoxide detectors work in their properties and make arrangements for them to be tested each month. The landlord is accountable for repairing any alarm that doesn't work. The rules governing this are applicable to council, private and housing association landlords, and also to licensable houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

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 certificate. The decision was made based on the law that states that landlords with assured shorthold leases must have an approved gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move into.

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

Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that gas appliances, flues, and pipework within the properties they rent out are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 regulate this. To comply with the regulations landlords must conduct annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues they provide for use in a property. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and it must be signed by a licensed Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.

It's also a good idea for landlords to think about having an annual boiler service performed in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, since this will help ensure that all gas appliances are working properly and safely. Landlords can usually receive a combination CP12 and boiler service at a reasonable price from a qualified gas engineer who will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners, inspect the flue system for leaks and cracks, clean the burner and heat exchanger and carry out 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 the safety tests, as well as specifics of any issues or actions that must be taken care of. Landlords are required to give their tenants a CP12 document within 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.

It is essential that landlords and letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property for safety inspections and maintenance. It is essential to inform tenants on the importance of allowing gas engineers access to the property. They should explain that the engineer is there to safeguard them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is reluctant to allow access it is the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility explain the legal responsibilities in writing and then follow by visiting the property to force entry if needed.

Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before allowing them to enter the property. This will confirm that the engineer is qualified to work on your home's systems and can therefore be trusted to conduct the safety inspection. 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 if necessary.