Landlord Gas Safety Certificate and Boiler Service

As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances as well as chimneys and flues are inspected every year. You should also provide a copy to your tenants.

If the engineer determines that an device or installation to be immediately hazardous, they will ask permission to shut off the gas supply and recommend that inspection hatches be put in place.

What is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?

A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document which demonstrates that all of the rented property's gas safety certificate landlord appliances and flues have been examined by a licensed gas engineer. The landlord must arrange for the gas check for each rental property they have at least once a year. The inspection is carried out by an Gas Safe registered engineer and makes sure that all pipework and appliances as well as flues are in good working condition and in compliance with safety regulations.

Landlords are also required by law to provide tenants with an original copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) after each annual gas safety inspection and test. This should be given to tenants within 28 days following the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their tenancy.

CP12 is an abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 which was used by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) prior to being replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form shows the date of the last gas inspection and tests and the results, any issues or actions that need to be addressed, as well as the name of the person who performed the check.

The engineer will give advice on the spot if the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will outline what needs to be fixed to make it safe to use. If a device is deemed dangerous immediately or abnormally lethal the gas supply should be shut off until the issue has been resolved.

It is illegal for a tenant to refuse to let the gas safety test to be carried out. If needed landlords can apply to the courts for a court order to prohibit the tenant from preventing gas safety checks. However, it's often easier to send a letter that describes why the check is essential and what will be required. This should make a tenant more hesitant to let access in, and if otherwise, the landlord could have to think about starting the eviction process.

How often should I renew my Gas Safety Certificate?

By law, landlords and agents for letting are required to conduct an annual safety check of the chimneys and gas appliances they offer to their tenants. This is to ensure that the equipment is safe for them to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks in the building. Gas inspections are an essential obligation for landlords, and they must ensure they are completed by a licensed engineer.

The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document that affirms that an engineer has completed a gas inspection in the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and should also be given to the tenant in order to demonstrate the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months and has to be renewed each year.

If a landlord fails to 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 vital for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out at a timely basis and keep a copy of the certificate in case a tenant requests it.

Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea, as it allows engineers to gain access to the appliances to conduct annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be at risk during an inspection the engineer will declare it to be at risk and shut off the boiler and recommend that tenants not to use it until the inspection hatch is installed.

The landlords should also ensure that they provide their tenants with a minimum of 24 hours notice prior to when they enter the property to carry out Gas Safety checks. This allows tenants time to prepare and request permission if needed. If a tenant refuses to permit the engineer to enter the landlord should inform them the reason for the visit and what will happen if they don't comply. If the tenant is still refusing the engineer entry, then the landlord must think about evicting them under 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 their property has a valid gas safety certification prior to the time tenants move into. Failure to adhere to this law can i get a copy of my gas safe certificate result in the landlord being charged or fined heavily. The regulations state that landlords are required to provide copies of the gas safety records 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, an engineer will be able to identify any issues that could be a threat to tenants. They will issue an CP12 gas safety certificate which is also known as the Landlord Gas Safety Record or a Gas Safety Certificate.

This is a crucial piece of documentation that every tenant should get a hold of and keep. It contains information about the gas appliances in a rented property, as well as details regarding when they last checked and the expiry dates. It can assist tenants in identifying issues with their appliances and installations and ensure that they are aware of how to contact a Gas Safe Engineer to have them tested.

Landlords are required to provide their tenants, both new and existing, with a gas safety check report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. The landlord must also give the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords who fail to provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate can be prosecuted under the regulations and face unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.

Similar to this landlords must make sure that carbon monoxide detectors are working in their properties and make arrangements for them to be tested every month. If an alarm is not working, the landlord must repair it. This is the case for private landlords, councils and housing associations, as well as licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation.

In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was unlawful for landlords to issue 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 record of their gas safe register duplicate certificate safety for their property prior to the time tenants move in.

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

Landlords have a legal responsibility to ensure that the gas appliances, flues and pipework in their properties are safe for tenants. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To comply with these regulations, landlords must conduct annual gas inspections on all the gas appliances and flues they install in the property. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate, and it has to be signed by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.

It is also an excellent idea for landlords to look into having an annual boiler service performed simultaneously with the CP12 inspection, as this will ensure that all the gas appliances are operating correctly and safely. Gas engineers can offer a combined CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable cost. They will check the seals of boiler burners and look for leaks and cracks within the flue system, clean the heat exchanger, and carry out general maintenance.

The CP12 is often called "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it's actually known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It contains the results of the safety checks, as well as details of any problems or actions that should be taken care of. Landlords must give their tenants a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.

It is crucial that the landlord or letting agent only allow Gas Safe registered engineers to enter the premises to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It's a good idea educate tenants on the importance of allowing access and explain that the gas engineer will help keep them safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If a tenant is hesitant to permit access it is the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility explain the legal responsibilities in writing and then follow up with a visit to the property to compel entry if needed.

Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before entering the property. This will confirm that the engineer has the necessary qualifications to work on the systems in your home and can therefore be trusted to perform the safety check. You should also be aware that a gas technician can legally remove faulty equipment or cut off your gas supply if needed.