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. The law also requires you provide a copy the check to your tenants.

If the engineer believes that a particular appliance or installation is immediately dangerous the engineer will request permission to disconnect gas supply and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.

What is a Gas Safety Certificate?

A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that demonstrates that the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been examined by a certified gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange a gas check for each rental property that they own at least once per year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and verify that all pipes, appliances and flues comply with safety regulations.

Landlords are also legally required to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) following each annual gas safety inspection and test. This should be given to tenants within 28 days after the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their tenancy.

CP12 is an abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was used by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) prior to being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form lists the date of the last gas inspection or test, the results of these, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, as well as the name of the person who conducted the check.

If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas appliance the engineer will provide advice on what needs to 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 will need to be disconnected until the issue is resolved.

If a tenant is unwilling to permit access to the gas safety checks to be carried out, it is a criminal offence. A landlord can ask the courts for an injunction order in the event of need, but it is usually much easier to simply send a well written letter stating the reasons why it is crucial that the checks are conducted and what they'll involve. This should encourage a reluctant tenant to give access, and in the event that they do not, the landlord may be required to begin the eviction process.

How often should I get a Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords and letting agents are required by law to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on all gas appliances and flues that they supply to their tenants. This is 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 for landlords and they should be sure to have their gas inspections completed by a licensed 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 inspection within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and should also be given to the tenant in order to demonstrate the safety of gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months, and must be renewed annually.

A landlord who fails to provide the Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be penalized. 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.

It's also a good idea for landlords to install 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 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 tenants at least 24 hours notice before they enter the property to conduct Gas Safety checks. This allows tenants time to prepare and ask permission, if required. If a tenant does not allow the engineer access, the landlord should inform them why it is necessary and what happens if they don't comply. If the tenant still refuses then the landlord should consider evicting them using 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 certification prior to the time tenants move into the property. Failure to adhere to the law can lead to the landlord being prosecuted or fined heavily. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must provide a copy of the gas safety record to their tenants upon request.

Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property of the landlord to conduct an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will be able to identify any issues that could pose a risk to tenants. They will issue an CP12 gas safety certificate which is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.

This is an important document that every tenant should keep. It contains information about the gas installations of a rental property as well as information about when they were last tested and their expiry dates. It can help tenants spot any issues with the appliances or installations and make sure that they are aware of how to contact an Gas Safe engineer to have them tested.

Landlords must give a gas safety report to their tenants, new and existing within 28 days of the date that the engineer has visited their property. They must also give a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy starts. Landlords who fail in providing the the gas certificate could be prosecuted and could face unlimited fines, or six months in prison.

In the same way landlords must make sure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their homes and have them tested every month. If the alarm is not functioning, the landlord has to repair it. The rules around this apply to private, council and housing association landlords and also to licensable houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

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 based on the law that states that landlords of assured shorthold leases must have a gas safety record for their property before tenants move in.

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

Landlords are legally responsible for ensuring that gas appliances, flues and pipework in the homes they lease out are safe. This is covered by 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 they supply for use in the property. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and must be completed by a qualified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.

Landlords should consider performing a boiler inspection at the same time as the CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are working properly and safely. Landlords can usually receive a combination CP12 and boiler service for an affordable price from a professional gas engineer who will be able to check the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for leaks and cracks, clean the heat exchanger and burner and carry out general maintenance.

The CP12 document is often referred to as the 'Landlord Gas Safety Certificate Uk gas safety certificate' although it is officially called the Gas Safety Record documentation. It includes the results of the safety inspections, and specifics about any issues or actions that should be taken care of. Landlords are required to provide their tenants a CP12 document no later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.

It is crucial that landlords and letting agents only permit Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and for maintenance. It's important to educate tenants on the importance of giving gas engineers access to the property and explain that the engineer's job is to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant refuses to permit access the agent or landlord must explain the legal obligations in writing. Then, they should visit the property and force entry if needed.

Tenants should always see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before they allow them into the home, as this will prove that they're qualified to work on your home's gas systems and can be trusted to complete the gas safety check efficiently and effectively. It's important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally permitted to cut off any defective equipment and can shut off your gas safe certificate check supply when necessary.