Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

As an owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, flues and chimneys are inspected annually. You must also provide a copy to your tenants.

If the engineer believes that any installation or appliance is imminently dangerous they will ask permission to disconnect gas supply and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.

What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate?

A landlord's gas safety certificate is an official document that confirms that all gas appliances and flues in the rental property were inspected by an experienced gas engineer. Landlords must arrange a gas check for each rental property that they have at least once a year. The inspection is performed by an Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all pipes appliances, flues, and pipes are in good working condition and that they comply with safety regulations.

Landlords are also legally required to give their tenants a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) at the end of each year's 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 tenancy.

CP12 is an abbreviation 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 includes the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their results, any actions that need to be taken, and the name and the title of the engineer who performed the test.

The engineer will give advice in the event that the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be addressed so that it is safe for use. If an appliance is deemed to be immediate danger or abnormally lethal, the gas supply will need to be disconnected until the issue has been solved.

It is illegal for a tenant to refuse to let the gas safety inspection to be conducted. A landlord can ask the courts for an injunction should it be necessary, but it is generally more efficient to send a clearly written letter stating the reasons why it is crucial that the checks are conducted and what they will entail. This should encourage a reluctant tenant to give access, and if not, the landlord might need to consider starting the process of eviction.

How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?

In the law, landlords and agents for letting are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection of the chimneys and gas appliances that they provide to their tenants. This is done to ensure that the equipment is safe for them to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks within the property. Gas inspections are a vital obligation for landlords and they must ensure that they are carried out by a licensed engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document that confirms that an engineer has completed a gas check within the last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord and must be provided to the tenant as proof of the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months and has to be renewed annually.

If a landlord does not provide their tenants with a Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be fined by the local authority. It is therefore essential for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out on time and to keep a copy of the documents in case a tenant needs it.

Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea, because it lets engineers quickly access the appliances for their annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be 'at risk' during an inspection, the engineer will formally declare it to be at risk and may disconnect the boiler and suggest that the tenant refrain from using it until the inspection hatch has been installed.

Landlords are also required to give their tenants 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 provide permission, if required. If a tenant does not allow the engineer access, the landlord should write to them explaining the reason for the visit and what happens if they don't follow through. If the tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer entry, the landlord could decide to evict the tenant under section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.

What happens if you don't have a Gas Safety Certificate?

In essence, it's the landlord's legal responsibility to ensure their property has a valid gas safety certificate before tenants move in. In the absence of this, it's an offence that can lead to landlords being charged and liable to heavy fines. The regulations require 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 a gas check on all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will be able to identify any issues that may cause a threat to tenants. The engineer will issue an CP12 Gas Safety Document, which is also referred to as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).

This is a crucial document that every tenant should keep. It includes information about the gas safety certificate homeowner installations in a rental property, as well as details about when they were last tested and when they expire. It will help tenants recognize issues with their appliances and installations and make sure they know how contact an Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.

Landlords must give a gas safety report to their tenants, both new and current within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. They must also provide a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy commences. Landlords who do not provide a copy of the gas safety certificate may be prosecuted under the regulations and may be subject to unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.

Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties are equipped with carbon monoxide alarms. They can also arrange for them to be tested every month. If the alarm is not working, the landlord must fix it. This is the case for councils, private landlords, and housing associations and also licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.

In June 2017, the High Court decided that it was illegal for landlords to issue Section 21 notices if they did not provide their tenants with a valid gas safety certification. The decision was made by reference to the law which states that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must obtain a record of their gas safety for their property before tenants move in.

how to get gas safety certificate do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

Landlords are legally accountable to ensure that gas appliances, flues, and pipework in the properties they lease are safe. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 regulate this. In order to comply with these regulations, landlords must conduct annual gas inspections on all the gas appliances and flues that they provide for use in the property. This is called a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and it must be completed by a qualified Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.

It's also recommended for landlords to consider having a boiler service carried out at the same time as the CP12 inspection, since it will help ensure that all gas appliances are operating correctly and safely. Landlords are usually able to receive a combination CP12 and boiler service at 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 cleaning the burner and heat exchanger and perform general maintenance.

The CP12 document is commonly called the 'landlord's gas safety certificate', although it is officially called the Gas Safety Record documentation. It outlines the outcomes of all safety inspections and the details of any actions or issues that need to be resolved. Landlords are required to give tenants a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.

It is important that landlords and letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and for maintenance. It is a good idea to inform tenants of the importance of allowing access and explain that the gas engineer will help keep them safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant refuses to permit access, the landlord gas safety certificates or agent must state the legal requirements in writing. Then, they should visit the property and force entry if required.

Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants prior to allowing them to enter the property. This will ensure that the engineer is competent to work on your home's systems and can therefore be trusted to conduct the safety check. You should also be aware that a gas engineer can legally shut off the malfunctioning equipment or cut off the gas safety certificate homeowner supply in case of need.