Gas Safety Certificate And Boiler Service Explained In Fewer Than 140 Characters
Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances as well as chimneys and flues are regularly inspected. You must also provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer deems any device or installation to be immediately hazardous, they will ask for permission to cut off the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches be installed.
What is what is a 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 inspected by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are legally required organize a gas safety check once per year for each rental property they own. The inspection is conducted by an Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all pipes and appliances as well as flues are in good working order and in compliance with safety regulations.
Landlords are also legally required to give their tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (gas safety certificate cp12 Safety Record) after each annual gas safety inspection and test. This should be provided to tenants in the 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to any new tenants at the beginning of their tenure.
CP12 is the abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 that was employed by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form identifies the date of the last gas inspection or test and the results of these tests, any actions or issues that need to be addressed, and the name of the person who performed the check.
If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance the engineer will provide advice on what should be done to ensure it is safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be Immediately Dangerous, or Abnormally dangerous the gas supply needs to be turned off until the issue is fixed.
If a tenant does not allow access for the gas security checks to be conducted the tenant is guilty of an offence that is criminal. If necessary, a landlord gas safety certificate cp12 can ask the courts for an order to enjoin the tenant from preventing the gas safety inspections. However, it's often easier to send a letter which describes why the check is essential and what will be required. This should convince a tenant who is reluctant to give access, and if otherwise, the landlord could be required to begin the process of eviction.
How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
In the law, landlords and letting agents are required to conduct an annual safety check of all chimneys and gas appliances that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and that there aren't gas leaks within the property. Gas inspections are a crucial obligation for landlords and they must ensure that they are conducted by a certified engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the gas safety certificate cp12 Safety Check Record) is legal document that confirms that the gas inspection was conducted by a qualified engineer in the last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord and should be given to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months, and has to be renewed each year.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants with an Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be penalized by the local authority. It is therefore essential for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out on time and keep a copy of the certificate in case a tenant requests it.
Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea, since it allows engineers to quickly access the appliances for annual inspections. If the appliance is deemed to be 'at risk' during an inspection the engineer will categorise it as such and will shut off the boiler and suggest that the tenant refrain from using it until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords should also make sure that they provide their tenants with at least 24 hours notice before they are allowed to enter the property to perform Gas Safety checks. This will allow tenants to prepare for the visit and grant permission if needed. If a tenant does not allow access to the engineer, the landlord must explain the reason for this and what would happen in the event that the tenant refuses. If the tenant still refuses then the landlord should consider evicting them using section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What is the consequence if you don't possess a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal obligation of a landlord to make sure that their property is equipped with an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into. Failing to do so is an offense that could result in landlords being punished with severe fines. The regulations stipulate that landlords are required to provide copies of the gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property of the landlord to perform an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will be able to identify any issues that could pose a danger to tenants. They will issue a 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 must keep. It contains information about the gas installations in a rental property, as well as details on when they were last tested and when they expire. It can assist tenants in identifying issues with their appliances and installations and make sure they are aware of how to contact the Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.
Landlords are required to provide an inspection report on gas safety to their tenants, new and current 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 begins. Landlords who fail to provide a copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted in accordance with the regulations and could face unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.
Similar to this landlords must make sure that carbon monoxide detectors work in their properties and make arrangements for them to be tested each month. The landlord is accountable for repairing the problem if the alarm does not work. This is applicable to private landlords, councils and housing associations, and also licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.
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 certification. The ruling was based on a law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to have an official gas safety certificate for their property before tenants move into it.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are legally accountable for ensuring that gas appliances, flues and pipework in the homes they lease are safe. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To comply with the regulations landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks on all gas appliances and flues they provide for use in a property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate. It must be signed by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also think about having a boiler inspection done simultaneously with a CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are working properly and safely. Landlords can usually get a combined CP12 and boiler service for a reasonable price from a qualified gas engineer. They can check the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for cracks and leaks, clean the burner and heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 document is commonly called the 'landlord's gas safety certificate' however, it is officially referred to as the Gas Safety Record documentation. It outlines the outcomes of all the safety checks and the details of any actions or problems that need to be addressed. Landlords must provide their tenants with 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 essential to inform tenants on the importance of allowing gas engineers access to their property and explain that the engineer is there to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to permit access the agent or landlord must explain the legal obligations in writing. Then, they should visit the property and force entry if required.
Tenants must always request to have a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before they allow them into the home to prove that they are properly qualified to work on your home's gas systems and are able to complete the gas safety inspection efficiently and effectively. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally able to cut off any defective equipment and can cut off your gas supply when necessary.