As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances chimneys, flues and chimneys are inspected annually. You should also provide a copy to your tenants.If the engineer determines that an appliance or installation to be immediately dangerous they will ask for permission to cut off the gas supply and suggest that inspection hatches are installed.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that demonstrates that all of the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been checked by a licensed gas engineer. Landlords are legally required conduct a gas safety inspection every year for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and verify that all pipework, appliances and flues comply 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 document should be handed out to tenants within 28 days after the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their tenancy.
CP12 is an abbreviation used for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was used by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before it was replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form outlines the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their results, any actions that need to be taken, as well as the name and name of the engineer who conducted the inspection.
The engineer will give advice if the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be corrected to make it safe to use. If a gas appliance is found to be dangerous immediately or abnormally lethal the gas supply should be disconnected until the problem is fixed.
It is a crime for a tenant to refuse to allow the gas safety inspection to be conducted. If needed landlords can apply to the courts for a court order to stop the tenant from preventing gas safety checks. However, it's often easier to send a letter which describes why the check is essential and what will be required. This should entice tenants who are hesitant to allow access to the property. If not, the landlord will need to start the eviction procedure.
How often should I receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
By law, landlords and letting agents are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection of all gas appliances and chimneys that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that their equipment is safe for use and that there aren't any gas leaks in the property. Gas inspections are a vital responsibility for landlords, and they must ensure that they are conducted by a licensed engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is legal document that confirms that a gas inspection has been completed by a qualified engineer in the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord, and should be presented to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and needs to be renewed annually.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants with an Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be punished by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be performed by landlords on time. They should keep a copy in the event that tenants request it.
It's also a good idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances to allow engineers to easily access the hatches for annual inspections. The engineer will categorise the appliance as being at-risk and may suggest that the tenant refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords must also ensure that they provide their tenants with at least 24 hours notice prior to when they are allowed to enter the property to conduct Gas Safety checks. This gives tenants time to plan their inspection and request permission if they need. If a tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry the landlord must send a letter to them explaining why it is necessary and what happens if they don't comply. If the tenant continues to refuse the engineer entry, then the landlord must think about evicting them under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What is the consequence if you don't possess a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal responsibility of a landlord to make sure that their property is fitted with a gas safety certificate valid before tenants move in. Failure to comply with this law could result in the landlord being charged or fined heavily. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must give an electronic copy of the gas safety record to their tenants on request.
Landlords must have an Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to conduct an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will be able to identify any issues that could be a threat to tenants. They will then issue an CP12 gas safety certificate that is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.
This is an important document that all tenants should get a hold of and keep. The document contains information about gas installations in a rental property as well as the date they were tested and their expiration dates. It can help tenants identify any issues with the appliances or installation and ensure that they know how to contact an Gas Safe engineer to have them examined.
Landlords are required to provide their new and current tenants with a gas safety check 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 commences. Landlords who fail to provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted under the rules and could face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.
In the same way, landlords should ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their homes and have them checked every month. The landlord is responsible for repairing an alarm that does not work. The rules governing this apply to council, private and housing association landlords as well as licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In June 2017 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 the law that states that landlords of assured shorthold tenancies must obtain a gas safety record for their property prior to when tenants move in.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that gas appliances, flues, and pipework in the homes they rent out are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. To ensure compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues that they install for use in a property. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and it must be completed by a qualified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also consider having a boiler inspection done in conjunction with the CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are working properly and safely. Gas engineers can offer the combination CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable price. They will examine the seals of boiler burners as well as look for leaks and cracks in the flue system, clean the heat exchanger, and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 is often referred to by the term "landlord's gas safety certificate" but it actually is called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It lists the results of all safety checks and details of any actions or problems that require attention. Landlords are required to provide their tenants the CP12 document not later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is essential that landlords and letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and for maintenance. It's a good idea 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 or letting agent's duty to explain the legal responsibilities in writing and then follow with a visit to the property to force entry if needed.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before entering the property. This will ensure that the engineer is qualified to work on your home's systems and can therefore be trusted to perform the safety check. It is also important to know that a gas engineer can legally remove faulty equipment or cut off your gas supply should it be required.
