20 Things You Need To 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, chimneys and flues are regularly inspected. The law also requires you provide a copy of the check to your tenants.

If the engineer deems any appliance or installation to be immediately dangerous they will request permission to shut off the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches are installed.

What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

A landlord's gas safety certificate is an official document that confirms that all gas appliances and flues within the rented property have been inspected by an experienced gas engineer. Landlords are legally required to arrange a gas safety check once per year for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and verify that all pipes, 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 following the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their tenure.

CP12 is the abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 that was used 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 of these, any actions or issues that require to be addressed, as well as the name of the person who conducted the check.

If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance, the engineer will advise on what should be done to make it safe for use. If a gas appliance is found to be Immediately Dangerous or abnormally lethal, the gas supply will have to be turned off until the problem has been fixed.

It is a crime to a tenant who refuses to let the gas safety check to be conducted. If needed landlords can apply to the courts for a court order to enjoin the tenant from refusing to allow gas safety inspections. However, it is often easier to write a letter that clarifies why the checks are important and what's involved. This can make a tenant more hesitant to allow access and, if not, the landlord might be required to begin the process of eviction.

How often should I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?

Landlords and letting agencies are legally required to conduct an annual gas safety check on all flues and gas appliances that they supply to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe to use and that there aren't any leaks of gas in the property. This is an essential responsibility and landlords should be sure to get their gas inspections done 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 in the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord, and should be presented to the tenant in order to demonstrate the security of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and has to be renewed annually.

A landlord who does not provide the Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. It is therefore essential for landlords to have their Gas Safety checks carried out at a timely basis and to keep a copy the documentation in the event that a tenant asks for 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 them for inspections every year. The engineer will classify the appliance as  being at-risk and may suggest that the tenant refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.

Landlords must also ensure that they give their tenants at least 24 hours notice prior to the time they enter the property to perform Gas Safety checks. This allows tenants time to prepare and request permission, if required. If a tenant refuses to allow the engineer access the landlord should write to them explaining why the engineer is required and what happens if they don't comply. If the tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer entry, the landlord can decide to evict the tenant under section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.

What is the consequence if I don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?

In essence, it's a landlord's legal duty to ensure that their property is equipped with a valid gas safety certification before tenants move in. Infractions to this law can result in the landlord being charged or being fined a significant amount. The regulations state that landlords must also provide copies of gas safety certificates to their tenants upon request.

Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property for an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection, the engineer will note any issues that may cause a threat to tenants. The engineer will then issue an CP12 Gas Safety Document, also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).

This is a vital document that all tenants should take possession of and keep. This document contains information about gas installations in a rental home as well as the date they were tested as well as their expiration dates. It will help tenants recognize issues with their appliances and installations and make sure they are aware of how to contact an Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.

Landlords must provide the gas safety report to their tenants, both new and existing 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 their tenancy starts. Landlords who fail to provide the copy of the gas certificate may be charged and face unlimited fines, or six months in prison.

Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms.  Gas safety certificate MK Gas Safety  should also arrange for them to be tested every month. The landlord is accountable for repairing an alarm that does not work. This is applicable to councils, private landlords, and housing associations, as well as licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.

In June 2017 In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was unlawful for landlords to serve Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with a valid Gas Safety Certificate. The decision was by reference to the law which states that landlords of assured shorthold tenancies must have a gas safety record for their property prior to the time tenants move into the property.

How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework in their homes are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 deal with this. To ensure compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks of all gas appliances and flues they supply for use in a property. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be completed by a licensed Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.

It is also a good idea for landlords to consider having the boiler service completed simultaneously with the CP12 inspection, as this will ensure that all the gas appliances are operating in a safe and efficient manner. Landlords are usually able to receive a combination CP12 and boiler service for an affordable price from a qualified gas engineer who will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners. They will also inspect the flue system for leaks and cracks as well as clean the burner and heat exchanger and carry out general maintenance.

The CP12 document is commonly referred to as the 'landlord gas safety certificate', but it is actually the Gas Safety Record documentation. It outlines the outcomes of all safety inspections and details of any actions or problems 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 essential 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 educate tenants on the importance of allowing access and explaining that the gas engineer will help keep them safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If a tenant is hesitant to permit access it's the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility clarify the legal obligations in writing and then follow with a visit to the property to force entry if necessary.

Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before entering the property. This will ensure that the engineer is competent to work on the systems in your home and can therefore be trusted to carry out the safety inspection. It is also important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally able to shut off any malfunctioning equipment and can shut off gas lines in the event of a need.