landlord gas safety certificate and Boiler Service (www.mkgassafety.co.uk)
As a landlord, it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances as well as chimneys and flues are inspected every year. It is also your responsibility to give a copy of the report to your tenants.
If the engineer considers that a particular appliance or installation is immediate danger, they will request permission to shut off gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is an official document that proves that all gas appliances and flues that are in the rental property were inspected by an experienced gas engineer. Landlords are legally required to arrange a gas safety check annually for each rental property they own. The inspection is conducted by a Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all pipes, appliances, and flues are in good working condition and in compliance with 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 provided to tenants within 28 days following 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 lists the date of the last gas inspection and tests and the results of these tests, any issues or actions that need to be addressed, as well as the name of the person who conducted the test.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any problems with a gas appliance, the engineer will advise on what should 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 shut off until the issue is fixed.
If a tenant refuses to permit access to the gas safety checks to be carried out, it is a criminal offence. A landlord may apply to the courts for an injunction if necessary, however it is generally more efficient to simply send a well written letter stating the reason why the checks are carried out and what they will involve. This will encourage tenants who are hesitant to allow access to the property. If not, the landlord will need to begin the eviction process.
How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
In the law, landlords and letting agents are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection of all chimneys and gas appliances they offer to their tenants. This is to ensure that the equipment is safe to use and that there are no gas leaks within the property. Gas inspections are a vital responsibility for landlords, and they should ensure that they are completed by a licensed engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is a legal document that confirms that the gas inspection was completed by a qualified engineer in the last 12 months. It is given to the landlord and should be handed over to the tenant to prove the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months, and has to be renewed every year.
If a landlord is unable to provide their tenants with a Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be punished 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 the certificate in the event that a tenant asks for it.
Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea as it allows engineers to gain access to the appliances 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 recommend that tenants not to use it 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 will allow tenants to prepare for the visit and grant permission if needed. If a tenant is refusing access to the engineer the landlord must explain the reason for this and what will happen should the tenant refuse. If the tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord can decide to evict the tenant under section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if you don't own a Gas Safety Certificate?
In essence, it is the landlord's legal obligation to ensure their property has a valid gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into the property. Failing to do so is an offense that could lead to landlords being punished with severe fines. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must give an original copy of their gas safety certificate to their tenants on request.
Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property for a gas check on all gas appliances. During the inspection, a Gas Safe registered engineer will note any problems that could pose a risk to tenants. The engineer will then issue an 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 contains information on the gas installations of the rental property, as well as details regarding when they last tested and their expiry dates. It can help tenants identify problems with appliances or installations and make sure they know how contact the Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.
Landlords are required to provide their new and current tenants with a gas safety check report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. They must also give a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy starts. Landlords that fail to provide the the gas certificate could be prosecuted and face unlimited fines, or six months in prison.
Similar to this landlords must ensure that carbon monoxide detectors work in their homes and arrange for them being tested every month. The landlord is responsible for fixing the problem if the alarm does not work. The rules around this apply to council, private and housing association landlords, as well as 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 upon the law that requires landlords with assured shorthold leases to obtain an official gas safety certificate for their property before tenants move into it.
How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
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 cover this. To be in compliance with these regulations, landlords must conduct annual gas inspections on all the gas appliances and flues they install in the building. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate and it must be completed by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It is also a good idea for landlords to look into having the boiler service completed simultaneously with the CP12 inspection, since this will ensure that all the gas appliances are operating in a safe and efficient manner. Landlords can typically get a combined CP12 and boiler service for an affordable cost from a qualified gas engineer. They can check the seals on boiler burners. They will also inspect the flue system for cracks and leaks cleaning the heat exchanger and burner and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 document is commonly known as the 'landlord's gas safety certificate', however, it is officially referred to as the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of safety tests, as well as specifics about any issues or actions that should be taken care of. Landlords are required to provide their tenants the CP12 document within 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It's important that landlords or letting agents only permit Gas Safe registered engineers to visit the property to conduct safety checks and for maintenance. It's a good idea to educate tenants on the importance of allowing access and explain that the gas engineer will protect them from carbon monoxide poisoning. If a tenant is hesitant to allow access it is the landlord's or letting agent's duty to explain the legal responsibilities in writing, and follow up with a visit to the property to force entry if necessary.
Tenants should always ask to have a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to they allow them into the home to ensure that they are properly qualified to work on the gas systems in your home and is able to complete the gas safety check efficiently and effectively. It's important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally able to shut off any malfunctioning equipment and can cut off your gas supply when necessary.