Gas Safety Certificate And Boiler Service: What s New No One Is Discussing

Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

As a landlord, it's 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 determines that any installation or appliance is immediately dangerous the engineer will request permission to disconnect gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.

What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

A landlord gas safety certificate is a document that proves that all the gas appliances and flues have been examined by a qualified gas engineer. Landlords must arrange an annual gas inspection for each rental property they own at least once a year. Gas Safe registered engineers carry out the inspection and check that all pipework, appliances and flues conform with safety regulations.

Landlords are also required by law to give their tenants copies of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) after each annual gas safety inspection and test. This should be provided to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the beginning of their lease.

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 includes the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their results, any actions required to be taken, as well as the name and title of the engineer that conducted the check.

If the Gas Safety check highlights any issues with a gas appliance, the engineer will advise on what must be done to ensure it is safe for use. If an appliance is deemed dangerous immediately or abnormally lethal the gas supply needs to be disconnected until the problem is resolved.

It is illegal for a tenant to refuse to allow the gas safety check to be carried out. A landlord can ask the courts for an injunction order if necessary, however it is generally easier to send a clearly written letter stating the reasons why it is crucial that the checks are made and what they will involve. This can encourage a reluctant tenant to allow access and, if otherwise, the landlord could have to think about starting the process of eviction.

How often should I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?

The law requires that landlords and let agents are required by law to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on the 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. This is a crucial responsibility for landlords and they should make sure that they get their gas inspections done by a licensed gas engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document that indicates that an engineer completed a gas inspection in the last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord and should be provided to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and needs to be renewed annually.

A landlord who fails to provide the Gas Safety Certificate for their tenants could be fined. Gas Safety checks must be completed by landlords in time. They should also keep a copy in case tenants ask for it.

It is also a good idea for landlords to put inspection hatches on all gas appliances so that the engineers can easily access the hatches for annual inspections. The engineer will classify the appliance as 'at-risk' and may recommend that tenants refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.

Landlords should also make sure that they give tenants at least 24 hours notice before they are allowed to enter the property to perform Gas Safety checks. This gives tenants time to plan their inspection and request permission if they need. If a tenant is refusing entry to the engineer the landlord must explain the reason for this and what will happen if the tenant refused. If the tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord may decide to evict the tenant under section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.

What happens if I don't get a Gas Safety Certificate?

In essence, it's the landlord's legal responsibility to ensure that their home has a valid gas safety certificate prior to the time tenants move into the property. Failure to comply with the law can lead to a landlord being prosecuted or fined heavily. The regulations also state that landlords must give an electronic copy of the gas safety certificate to their tenants upon request.

Landlords must have a Gas Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to perform an inspection of the gas supply to all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will be able to identify any issues that could pose a danger to tenants. The engineer will issue a CP12 Gas Safety Document, also known as a Landlord Gas Safety Record (or a Gas Safety Certificate).

This is a crucial document that every tenant must keep. It contains information about the gas installations of a rented property and also details on when they were last tested and their expiry dates. It can help tenants identify problems with appliances or installations and make sure that they are aware of how to contact an Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.

Landlords are required to provide their tenants, both new and existing, with a gas safety inspection report within 28 days of the engineer's visit to their property. The landlord must also provide an original copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords who do not provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate could be prosecuted under the regulations and could face unlimited fines or six months imprisonment.

Additionally, landlords should ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms. They should also arrange for them to be tested every month. The landlord is accountable for repairing the problem if the alarm does not work. This is the case for 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 certificate. The decision was based on a law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold tenancies to have an official gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move in.

How can I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

Landlords are required by law to make sure that the gas appliances, flues, and pipework in their homes are safe for tenants. This is covered by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To comply with the regulations landlords are required to conduct annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues they provide for use in a property. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate and it must be completed by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.

It is also an excellent idea for landlords to look into having a boiler service carried out at the same time as the CP12 inspection, since it will help ensure that all the gas appliances are functioning properly and safely. Landlords can typically receive a combination CP12 and boiler service for an affordable cost from a professional gas engineer who will be able to check the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for cracks and leaks, clean the heat exchanger and burner and perform general maintenance.

The CP12 document is commonly referred to as the 'landlord gas safety certificate', although it is officially called the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of all safety checks and the details of any actions or issues that require attention. Landlords are required to provide their tenants the CP12 document no later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.

It is crucial that landlords or letting agents only permit Gas Safe registered engineers to access the property to conduct safety checks and for maintenance. It is crucial to educate tenants about the importance of permitting gas engineers access to the property and explain that the engineer's presence is necessary to safeguard them from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is unwilling to allow access the agent or landlord must explain the legal obligations in writing. They should then go to the property and force entry if needed.

Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before entering the property. This will prove that the engineer is competent to work on your home's systems and can therefore be trusted to conduct the safety inspection. It is also important to know that a gas engineer is able to legally disconnect defective equipment or shut off the gas supply in case of need.