As a landlord gas safety certificate, it is your responsibility to ensure that all gas appliances chimneys, flues and chimneys are inspected annually. You should also provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer considers that a particular appliance or installation is imminently dangerous they will ask permission to shut off gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is what is a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
A landlord's gas safety certificate is an official document that proves that all gas appliances and flues that are in the property that is rented have been checked by an accredited gas engineer. The landlord must arrange for the gas check for each rental property that they have at least once a year. The inspection is conducted by a Gas Safe registered engineer and checks to ensure that all pipes and appliances as well as flues are in good working order and that they are in compliance with safety standards.
Landlords are also required by law to provide their 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 provided to current tenants within 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the start of their tenancy.
CP12 is the abbreviation for the CORGI Proforma 12 that was used by CORGI before it was replaced in 2009 by the Gas Safe Register. The form identifies the date of the last gas inspection or test as well as the results of these tests, any issues or actions that need to be addressed, and the name of the person who conducted the test.
The engineer will provide advice in the event that the Gas Safety Check reveals any problems with the gas appliance. This will include the items that need to be addressed to make it safe to use. If a gas appliance is found to be immediately dangerous or Abnormally Lethal, the gas supply will have to be disconnected until the issue is fixed.
If a tenant is unwilling to allow access for gas security checks to be conducted the tenant is guilty of an offence that is criminal. If needed landlords can apply to the courts for a court order to enjoin the tenant from refusing to allow gas safety checks. However, it's usually easier to send a letter that describes why the check is essential and what will be required. This should encourage the tenant who is hesitant to let access to the property. If not the landlord is not willing, he will have to initiate the eviction process.
How often should I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agents are required by law to carry out an annual gas safety check on all gas appliances and flues that they supply to their tenants. This is to ensure that the equipment is safe to use and that there are no gas leaks in the building. This is an essential obligation and landlords must be sure to are inspected for gas by a qualified gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is legal document that confirms that a gas inspection has been conducted by a qualified engineer within the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and must be presented to the tenant to verify the safety of gas supply. It is valid for 12 months, and has to be renewed every year.
If a landlord does not provide their tenants with an gas safety certificates Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be punished 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 documents in case a tenant requests it.
It is also a good idea for landlords to set up inspection hatches on all gas appliances to allow engineers to easily access them for inspections every year. The engineer will classify the appliance as 'at-risk' and may suggest that tenants refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch has been installed.
Landlords must also provide their tenants with at least 24 hours' notice prior entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows the tenants to prepare for the visit and give permission, if required. If a tenant does not allow access to the engineer the landlord has to explain the reason why it is necessary and what happens in the event that the tenant refuses. If the tenant does not allow the engineer entry, the landlord gas safety certificate price could consider evicting the tenant under section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if I don't receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
In essence, it's the landlord's legal responsibility to ensure their property has a valid gas safety certification prior to the time tenants move in. Failure to comply with this law could result in a landlord being prosecuted or being fined a significant amount. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must provide an original copy of their gas safety certificate to their tenants on request.
Landlords must have an homeowner gas safety certificate Safe registered engineer visit their rental property to conduct a gas check on all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will be able to identify any issues that could pose a danger to tenants. They will then issue an CP12 gas safety document, which is also known as the 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 in a rental property, as well as details regarding when they last tested and when they expire. It can help tenants spot any issues with the appliances or installation and ensure that they know how to contact a Gas Safe engineer to have them tested.
Landlords are required to provide the gas safety report to their tenants, new and existing, within 28 days after the engineer has visited their property. The landlord is also required to provide the copy of CP12 at the beginning of the lease. Landlords who fail to provide the the gas certificate may be charged and face unlimited fines or six months in prison.
Similar to this, landlords should ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are in operation in their homes and arrange for them being tested every month. If the alarm is not functioning, the landlord has to make the necessary repairs. This applies to private landlords, councils and housing associations and also licensable houses of Multiple Occupation.
In June 2017 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 an official gas safety certificate. The ruling was in accordance with the law that states that landlords with assured shorthold tenancies must have a gas safety record for their property prior to when tenants move into.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate (GSC)?
Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that gas appliances, flues and pipework within the properties they lease are safe. This is covered under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. To ensure compliance with the regulations landlords must conduct annual gas inspections of all gas appliances and flues they provide to tenants. This is known as a CP12 Gas Safety Certificate and must be signed by a licensed Gas Safe Registered Engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also consider performing a boiler inspection simultaneously 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 cost. They will examine the seals on boiler burners as well as look for cracks and leaks in the flue system, clean the heat exchanger, and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 document is often referred to as the 'landlord gas safety certificate', but it is actually the Gas Safety Record documentation. It contains the results of all safety inspections and the details of any actions or problems that need to be resolved. Landlords must provide their tenants with a copy of the CP12 document within 28 days of the Gas Safety check being completed.
It is important that landlords and letting agents only allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property for safety inspections and maintenance. It is essential to inform tenants on the importance of giving 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 does not allow access, the landlord or agent must outline the legal obligations in writing. They should then go to the property and force entry if necessary.
Gas Safe ID cards should be requested by tenants before allowing them to enter the property. This will confirm that the engineer is qualified to work on the systems in your home and can therefore be trusted to carry out the safety check. It's important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally able to shut off any malfunctioning equipment and can cut off your gas supply when necessary.