20 Things You Should Be Educated About Gas Safety Certificate And Boiler Service

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 provide a copy of the check to your tenants.

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

What is a Gas Safety Certificate?

A landlord gas safety certificate is a document that proves that the gas appliances in the rental property and flues have been checked by a certified gas engineer. Landlords are legally obliged to organize a gas safety check annually for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry out the inspection and check that all pipes, appliances and flues conform with safety standards.

The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the 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 beginning of their tenancy.

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

The engineer will offer advice if the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be corrected so that it is safe for use. If an appliance is deemed 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 completed it is a criminal offence. If necessary landlords can apply to the courts for a court order to enjoin the tenant from preventing gas safety checks. However, it is usually easier to send a letter that describes why the check is essential and what will be involved. This will make a tenant more hesitant to let access in, and if not, the landlord might have to think about starting the eviction process.

How often should I get a Gas Safety Certificate?

The landlords and letting agencies are legally required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on all flues and gas appliances that are supplied to their tenants. This is to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and to ensure that there aren’t gas leaks within the property. Gas inspections are a crucial obligation for landlords, and they must ensure they are completed by a licensed engineer.

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

A landlord who does not provide an 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 in the event that tenants request it.

It is also an excellent idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances, so that the engineers can easily access the hatches for annual inspections. The engineer will categorise the appliance as ‘at-risk’ and may suggest that tenants refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.

Landlords must also give their tenants at least 24 hours’ notice prior entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This gives tenants time to prepare for the visit and provide permission if needed. If a tenant does not allow the engineer entry, the landlord should write to them explaining why the engineer is required and what will happen in the event that they do not comply. If the tenant still refuses the engineer entry, then the landlord must think about evicting them under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.

What happens if you don’t own a Gas Safety Certificate?

In short it is the landlord’s legal obligation to ensure that their home has an approved gas safety certificate before tenants move into. Failure to adhere to this law could result in the landlord being prosecuted or fined heavily. The regulations stipulate that landlords must also furnish copies of gas safety records to their tenants upon request.

Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to perform a gas check on all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will note any problems that could pose a danger to tenants. The engineer will issue a 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 should keep. The document contains information about gas installations in a rental property and the dates they were tested and their expiration dates. It can help tenants identify problems with appliances or installations and ensure that they know how to contact a Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.

Landlords are required to provide their new and current tenants with a gas safety report within 28 days of the engineer’s visit to their property. They must also provide a copy the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy starts. Landlords who do not provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted under the rules and face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.

In the same way, landlords should ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are in operation in their properties and make arrangements for them to be tested every month. The landlord is responsible for fixing the problem if the alarm does not work. The rules governing this apply to council, private, and housing association landlords, as well as to licensable houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

In June 2017 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 certification. The ruling was by reference to the law which states that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must obtain a record of their gas safety for their property before tenants move into.

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

Landlords have a legal responsibility to make sure that the gas appliances, flues, and pipework within their properties are safe for tenants. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To ensure compliance with the regulations landlords must conduct annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues they provide for use in the property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate. It must be signed by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.

It is also an excellent idea for landlords to think about having a boiler service carried out in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, since it will help ensure that all the gas appliances are functioning in a safe and efficient manner. Gas engineers can provide an integrated CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable cost. They will check the boiler burner’s seals as well as look for cracks and leaks in the flue system and clean the heat exchanger and carry out general maintenance.

The CP12 document is commonly 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 checks, as well as details of any problems or actions that need to be taken care of. Landlords are required to provide their tenants the CP12 document not later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.

It is important that landlords and letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property for safety inspections and maintenance. It’s a good idea educate tenants on the importance of allowing access and explaining that the gas engineer will protect them from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to permit access, the landlord or agent must state the legal requirements in writing. They should then visit the property and force entry if needed.

Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before they are allowed to enter the property. This will prove that the engineer is competent to work with your home’s systems and therefore be trusted to perform the safety check. You should also be aware that a gas technician can legally remove the malfunctioning equipment or cut off your gas supply if needed.