Do Not Buy Into These "Trends" About Gas Safety Certificate And Boiler Service

Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

As a landlord, it's your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances, flues, and chimneys undergo annual checks. You should also give a copy of the report to your tenants.

If the engineer determines that an appliance or installation as being immediately hazardous, they will ask permission to cut off the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches are installed.

What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that proves that the gas certificates appliances and flues have been inspected by a licensed gas engineer. Landlords are required to arrange the gas check for each rental property that they have at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and ensure that all pipework, appliances and flues conform with safety regulations.

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

CP12 is the abbreviation used for the CORGI Proforma 12 that was employed by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form lists the date of the last gas inspection and test, the results, any actions or issues that need to be addressed, and the name of the person who performed the check.

The engineer will offer advice on the spot if the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be fixed to make it safe to use. If an appliance is deemed to be immediately dangerous or Abnormally Lethal the gas supply will need to be turned off until the problem is fixed.

It is illegal to a tenant who refuses to allow the gas safety test to be carried out. If necessary landlords can apply to the courts for a court order to stop the tenant from preventing gas safety checks. However, it is more common to send a letter which describes why the check is essential and what will be involved. This should encourage the tenant who is hesitant to let access to the property. If not the landlord is not willing, he will have to start the eviction procedure.

How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords and letting agencies are required by law to conduct an annual safety check on all gas appliances and flues that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and 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 certified gas engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is a legal document that confirms that a gas inspection has been completed by a qualified engineer within the past 12 months. It is issued to the landlord and should be provided to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months, and must be renewed every year.

A landlord who fails to provide an Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. Gas Safety checks must be completed by landlords in time. They should keep a copy in case tenants request it.

It is also an excellent idea for landlords to install inspection hatches on all gas appliances to allow engineers to easily access them for annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be at risk during an inspection, the engineer will formally categorise it as such and will shut off the boiler and suggest that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch has been installed.

Landlords are also required to provide their tenants with at least 24 hours' notice prior to entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This gives tenants time to prepare for the visit and give permission if needed. If a tenant refuses the engineer's entry, the landlord must explain the reason why it is necessary and what will happen if the tenant refused. If the tenant is still refusing then the landlord should consider evicting them using section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.

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

In short it is the landlord's legal obligation to ensure their property has a valid gas safety certificate before tenants move into the property. Failing to do homeowners need a gas safety certificate so is an offense that could cause landlords to be prosecuted and subject to severe fines. The regulations state that landlords must also furnish copies of gas safety certificate what is checked safety records to their tenants upon request.

Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property for an inspection of 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. They will issue the CP12 gas safety certificate, that is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.

This is a vital piece of documentation that every tenant should be able to access and keep. The document contains information about gas installations in rental properties and the dates they were tested as well as their expiration dates. It can help tenants spot any issues with the appliances or installation and make sure that they know how to reach a Gas Safe engineer to have them checked.

Landlords must give the gas safety report to their tenants, new and current within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. They must also give a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy commences. Landlords who fail to provide the copy of the gas certificate may be charged and face unlimited fines or even six months in prison.

Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms. They should also arrange that they be tested each month. The landlord is accountable for repairing the problem if the alarm does not work. The rules for 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 unlawful 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 a law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold leases to obtain a gas safety certification for their property prior to the time tenants move in.

how much gas safety certificate can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

Landlords are required by law to make sure that the gas certificates appliances, flues and pipework in their properties are safe for tenants. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. In order to comply with these regulations, landlords must conduct annual gas inspections on all the gas appliances and flues they install within 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 also think about performing a boiler inspection simultaneously with the CP12 inspection. This will ensure that the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Landlords are usually able to get a combined CP12 and boiler service at an affordable cost from a professional gas engineer, who can check the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for leaks and cracks cleaning the burner and heat exchanger and carry out general maintenance.

The CP12 document is often referred to as the 'landlord gas safety certificate' although it is officially called the Gas Safety Record documentation. It includes the results of the safety tests, as well as details of any problems or actions that need to be taken care of. Landlords must 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 allow Gas Safe registered engineers to access the property for safety checks and maintenance. It is a good idea to educate tenants on the importance of allowing access and explaining that the gas engineer is there to ensure they are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to let access in, it's the landlord or letting agent's responsibility explain the legal responsibilities in writing and then follow with a visit to the property to compel entry if needed.

Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to allowing them to enter the property. This will confirm that the engineer is qualified to work on your home's systems and therefore be trusted to conduct the safety inspection. It's important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally able to disconnect faulty equipment and can shut off your gas supply in the event of a need.