Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

As an owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys undergo annual inspections. The law also requires you provide a copy of the check to your tenants.

If the engineer determines that an appliance or installation to be immediately hazardous, they will request permission to shut off the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches be installed.

What is an Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

A landlord gas safety certificate is a document which demonstrates that the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been checked by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are legally required to conduct a gas safety inspection once per year for each rental property they own. The inspection is conducted by an Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all pipes and appliances as well as flues are in good working order and that they are in compliance with safety standards.

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

CP12 is an abbreviation used for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was employed by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before it was replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form outlines the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their results, any actions that need to be taken, as well as the name and name of the engineer who performed the test.

The engineer will give advice on the spot if the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will include what needs to be addressed to make it safe to use. If an appliance is deemed dangerous immediately or abnormally lethal, the gas supply must be disconnected until the problem has been resolved.

It is a crime for a tenant to refuse to let the gas safety test to be carried out. A landlord can apply to the courts for an injunction should it be necessary, but it is generally more efficient to simply send a strongly worded letter explaining the reason why the checks are made and what they will involve. This should encourage a tenant who is reluctant to allow access to the house. If not the landlord has to begin the eviction process.

How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?

In the law, landlords and letting agents are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection of all gas appliances and chimneys they offer to their tenants. This is done to ensure that the equipment is safe to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks within the property. This is a vitally important obligation and landlords must ensure that they have their gas inspections completed by a licensed gas engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is an official document that proves that an inspection of the gas supply has been completed by a qualified engineer in the last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord and must be given to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months, and must be renewed annually.

If a landlord does not provide their tenants with a Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be punished by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be carried out by landlords on time. They must also keep a copy of the certificate in the event that tenants request it.

It is also an excellent idea for landlords to put inspection hatches on all gas appliances, so that the engineers can easily access the hatches for annual inspections. The engineer will label the appliance as 'at-risk' and may suggest that tenants stop using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.

Landlords must also give their tenants at least 24 hours' notice before entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This gives tenants time to prepare for the visit and grant permission, if required. If a tenant does not allow access to the engineer the landlord gas safety certificate price must explain the reason why it is necessary and what would happen should the tenant refuse. If the tenant does not allow the engineer entry, the landlord could consider evicting the tenant under section 21 of 1988 Housing Act.

What happens if I don't get a Gas Safety Certificate?

It is the legal responsibility of landlords to ensure that their property has a gas safety certificate valid before tenants move into. Failing to do so is an offence that can cause landlords to be charged and liable to heavy fines. The regulations also state that landlords must provide a copy of the gas safety certificate to their tenants upon request.

Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental home of the landlord to conduct an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection, a Gas Safe registered engineer will be able to identify any issues that could be a threat to tenants. The engineer will then issue a CP12 Gas Safety Document, also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).

This is a crucial document that every tenant should keep. It contains information on the gas installations of a rented property and also details on when they were last tested and their expiry dates. It will help tenants recognize any issues with their appliances or installations and make sure that they are aware of how much gas safety certificate to reach a Gas Safe engineer to have them tested.

Landlords are required to provide their new and current tenants with a gas safety inspection report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. They must also provide a copy the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy commences. Landlords who fail to provide the the gas certificate may be prosecuted and could face unlimited fines, or six months in prison.

In the same way, landlords must make sure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms. They can also arrange that they be tested every month. The landlord is responsible for fixing the problem if the alarm does not work. The rules governing this are applicable to private, council and housing association landlords as well as 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 an official gas safety certificate. The ruling was based on the law that requires landlords with assured shorthold leases to obtain an official gas safety certificate for their property prior to when tenants move into it.

How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that the gas appliances, flues, and pipework within their properties are safe for tenants. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. In order to comply with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas inspections on all gas appliances and flues they supply for use in the property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate. It must be filled out by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.

Landlords should consider performing a boiler inspection simultaneously with a CP12 inspection. This will ensure that the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Landlords can usually obtain a combined CP12 and boiler service for 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 cleaning the burner and heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.

The cp12 certificate document is often referred to as the 'landlord gas safety certificate' however, it is officially referred to as the Gas Safety Record documentation. It outlines the outcomes of all safety inspections and details of any actions or issues that need to be addressed. Landlords must give their tenants a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.

It is crucial that landlords and letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and for maintenance. It is crucial to educate tenants on the importance of allowing gas engineers access to the property and explain that the engineer's presence is necessary to protect them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to permit access, it's the landlord or letting agent's duty to clarify the legal obligations in writing and then follow by visiting the property to compel entry if needed.

Tenants should always ask to be shown a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before entering the premises to ensure that they are properly qualified to work on the gas systems in your home and are able to complete the gas safety check efficiently and effectively. It's also worth bearing in mind that the gas engineer is legally able to cut off any defective equipment and can cut off your gas supply when necessary.