Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, chimneys and flues are inspected every year. It is also your responsibility to give a copy of the report to your tenants.
If gas safety certificates Milton Keynes Gas Safety deems any appliance or installation to be immediately dangerous, they will ask for permission to shut off the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches be put in place.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A landlord's gas safety certificate is an official document that proves that all gas appliances and flues in the rental property were inspected by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords are legally obliged to arrange 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 comply with safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) at the time of each annual inspection and test for gas safety. The certificate should be given to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the beginning of their tenure.
CP12 is an abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was employed by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) prior to being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form identifies the date of the last gas inspection or test, the results, any actions or issues that need to be addressed, and the name of the person who conducted the test.
The engineer will provide advice on the spot if the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will include what needs to be addressed to make it safe to use. If an appliance is deemed to be immediate danger or Abnormally Lethal the gas supply must be turned off until the problem has been fixed.
It is illegal for a tenant to refuse to allow the gas safety inspection to be conducted. If necessary, a landlord can ask the courts for an order to stop the tenant from preventing gas safety inspections. However, it is usually easier to write a letter that explains why the checks are vital and what is required. This should encourage tenants who are hesitant to allow access to the house. If not the landlord is not willing, he will have to start the eviction procedure.
How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agencies are required by law to conduct an annual safety check on all flues and gas appliances that are supplied to tenants. This is to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks in the building. This is a crucial 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 an official document that proves that a gas inspection has been conducted by a qualified engineer within the past 12 months. It is issued to the landlord and must be given to the tenant as proof of the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months, and has to be renewed annually.
A landlord who is unable to provide a 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 put inspection hatches on all gas appliances, so that the engineers can easily access them for annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be 'at risk' during an inspection the engineer will declare it to be at risk and may disconnect the boiler and suggest that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch has been installed.
The landlords should also ensure that they provide their tenants with a minimum of 24 hours notice prior to the time they enter the property to perform Gas Safety checks. This gives tenants time to prepare for the visit and give permission if needed. If a tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer access, the landlord should send a letter to them explaining the reason for the visit and what will happen if they don't follow through. If the tenant still refuses the engineer entry, then the landlord must look into evicting them pursuant to section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if I don't receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
In short, it's the landlord's legal responsibility to ensure that their property is equipped with an approved gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into. In the absence of this, it's an offense that could lead to landlords being punished with severe fines. The regulations require that landlords must also provide copies of the gas safety records to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to conduct an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will take note of any issues that may present a danger to tenants. They will issue an CP12 gas safety certificate, that is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is a crucial document that every tenant should keep. The document contains information about gas installations in a rental home and the dates they were tested and their expiration dates. It can help tenants identify any issues with their installation or appliances and ensure they are aware of how to contact an Gas Safe engineer to have them tested.
Landlords are required to provide their current and new tenants with a gas safety report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. The landlord is also required to provide a copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenure. Landlords who do not provide a copy of the gas safety certificate can be prosecuted under the regulations and face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
Similar to this, landlords should ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are in operation in their properties and have them tested every month. If the alarm is not functioning, the landlord has to make the necessary repairs. The rules around this are applicable to private, council and housing association landlords, as well as to licensable houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In June 2017 the High Court ruled that it was unlawful for landlords to issue Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official Gas Safety Certificate. The decision was based upon a law that requires landlords with assured shorthold tenancies to obtain a gas safety certificate for their property before tenants move into it.
How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework in the homes they lease out are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 deal with this. To be in compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to arrange annual gas checks on all the gas appliances and flues that they supply for use in the building. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and 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 in conjunction with the CP12 inspection, since this will help ensure that all the gas appliances are working in a safe and efficient manner. Landlords can usually get a combined CP12 and boiler service at an affordable price from a qualified gas engineer, who will be able to check the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for cracks and leaks cleaning the burner and heat exchanger and conduct general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes referred to by the term "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it is actually known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It lists the results of all the safety checks and the details of any actions or problems that need to be resolved. 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 only allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It's a good idea to inform tenants about the necessity 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 permit access the agent or landlord must explain the legal obligations in writing. They should then visit the property and force entry if necessary.
Tenants should always have a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer prior to entering the premises to ensure that they are properly qualified to work on your home's gas systems and can be trusted to complete the gas safety test efficiently and efficiently. It is also important to know that a gas engineer can legally shut off faulty equipment or cut off your gas supply should it be required.