Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

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

If the engineer believes that any appliance or installation is imminently dangerous, they will request permission to shut off gas safe building regulations compliance certificate supply and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.

What is the definition of a Gas Safety Certificate?

A landlord gas safety certificate is a document which demonstrates that the gas appliances in the rental property and flues have been examined by a licensed gas engineer. Landlords are legally required to arrange a gas safety check every year for each rental property they own. The inspection is performed by an Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all of the pipework appliances, flues, and pipes are in good working condition and that they comply with safety regulations.

The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) after every annual inspection and test for gas safety. The certificate should be provided to tenants within 28 days following the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their tenure.

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 contains the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their results, any actions that must be taken, as well as the name and the title of the engineer that conducted the check.

If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas appliance, the engineer will advise on what needs to be done to make it safe for use. If an appliance is deemed dangerous immediately or abnormally lethal the gas supply needs to be shut off until the issue has been resolved.

It is a crime for a tenant to refuse to allow the gas safety inspection to be conducted. A landlord may apply to the courts for an injunction if necessary, however it is generally more efficient to send a clearly worded letter explaining the reasons why it is crucial that the checks are conducted and what they'll involve. This should encourage tenants who are hesitant to allow access to the house. If not, the landlord will need to start the eviction procedure.

How often do homeowners need a gas safety certificate I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords and letting agents are legally required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on all flues and gas appliances that they supply to their tenants. This is to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and that there are no gas leaks within the property. This is a vitally important responsibility for landlords and they should make sure that they get their gas inspections done by a certified gas engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document which indicates that an engineer completed a gas check within the last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord and must be handed over to the tenant as proof of the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months, and has to be renewed annually.

If a landlord is unable to provide their tenants with an Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be fined by the local authority. It is therefore essential for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out in a timely manner and to keep a copy of the documentation in case a tenant needs it.

It's also a good idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances so that the engineers can easily access them for inspections every year. The engineer will label the appliance as being 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 gives tenants time to prepare for the visit and give permission if necessary. If a tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer access, the landlord should inform them why the engineer is required and what happens in the event that they do not comply. If the tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord may decide to evict the tenant under section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.

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

In essence, it's a landlord's legal duty to ensure that their property is equipped with an approved gas safety certificate before tenants move into the property. In the absence of this, it's an offence that can result in landlords being punished with severe fines. The regulations require that landlords are required to provide copies of the gas safety records to their tenants upon 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 the engineer will be able to identify any issues that could present a danger for tenants. They will issue a CP12 gas safety document, which is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.

This is a crucial document that every tenant should keep. It includes information about the gas installations of the rental property as well as information on when they were last checked and the expiry dates. It can help tenants spot any issues with their appliances or installation and make sure that they know how long does a gas safety certificate last to reach an Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.

Landlords are required to provide their tenants, both new and existing, with a gas safety inspection report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. They must also provide a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy begins. Landlords who do not provide a copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted under the regulations and may be subject to unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.

The same way landlords must ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their properties and arrange for them being tested each month. The landlord is responsible for repairing the problem if the alarm does not 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 ruled that it was illegal for landlords to serve Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid Gas Safety Certificate. The decision was made in accordance with the law that states that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must obtain a record of their gas safety for their property prior to the time tenants move in.

How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that gas appliances, flues, and pipework within the properties they lease out are safe. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To be in compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to arrange annual gas checks on all the gas appliances and flues that they install within the property. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, and it has to be signed by a licensed Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.

Landlords should also think about having a boiler inspection done in conjunction with a CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are working properly and safely. Gas engineers can provide an integrated CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable price. They will examine the seals on boiler burners and look for leaks and cracks in the flue system and clean the heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.

The CP12 document is commonly called the 'landlord's gas safety certificate', but it is actually the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of all safety checks and the details of any actions or problems that need to be resolved. Landlords must provide their tenants the 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 visit the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It's a good idea to inform tenants about the necessity of allowing access, and explain that the gas engineer will help keep them safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant refuses to allow access the agent or landlord must outline the legal obligations in writing. Then, they should visit the property and force entry if required.

Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before entering the property. This will prove that the engineer is competent to work with your home's systems and therefore be trusted to conduct the safety inspection. It's also worth bearing in mind that the gas engineer is legally permitted to disconnect faulty equipment and can shut off your gas supply when necessary.