As a landlord, it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances as well as chimneys and flues are inspected every year. It is also your responsibility to provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer believes that any appliance or installation is imminently dangerous they will ask permission to cut off gas supply and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
A landlord gas safety certificate - please click the next page, is a document which demonstrates that the gas appliances in the rental property and flues have been checked by a certified gas engineer. Landlords are legally required to arrange a gas safety check once per year for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and verify that all pipes, appliances and flues comply with safety standards.
Landlords are also legally required to give their tenants an original 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 given to tenants within 28 days after the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the start of their tenure.
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 outlines the date of the most recent gas inspections and tests, their results, any actions required to be taken, and the name and the title of the engineer who conducted the test.
The engineer will offer advice on the spot if 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 a gas appliance is found to be immediately dangerous or abnormally lethal, the gas supply will need to be disconnected until the issue has been resolved.
It is illegal to a tenant who refuses to let the gas safety check to be conducted. If necessary the landlord has the right to ask the courts for a court order to prohibit the tenant from preventing the gas safety checks. However, it is usually easier to send a letter which explains why the checks are vital and what is required. This should encourage a reluctant tenant to give access, and if not, the landlord may be required to begin the process of eviction.
How often should I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords and letting agents are legally required to carry out an annual gas safety inspection on all gas appliances and flues that they supply 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 they are carried out by a licensed engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is a legal document that confirms that the gas inspection was conducted by a qualified engineer within the last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord, and should be provided to the tenant to prove the safety of the gas supply. It is valid for a period of 12 months and must be renewed annually.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants with a Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be fined by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be performed by landlords on time. They should also keep a copy in case tenants ask for it.
Installing inspection hatches in all gas appliances is a good idea as it allows engineers to gain access to the appliances for annual inspections. If the appliance is found to be in danger during an inspection, the engineer will formally categorise it as such and shut off the boiler and suggest that the tenant not use it until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords must also give their tenants at least 24 hours' notice before entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows the tenants to prepare for the visit and grant permission, if required. If a tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord should write to them explaining why the engineer is required and what happens if they don't comply. If the tenant continues to refuse, then the landlord should think about evicting them under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
What happens if I don't receive a Gas Safety Certificate?
In essence it's the landlord gas safety certificate cost's legal responsibility to ensure that their property is equipped with a valid gas safety certificate before tenants move in. Infractions to this law could result in the landlord being charged or fined heavily. The regulations stipulate 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 to perform an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, an engineer will identify any issues that could pose a danger to tenants. They will then issue an CP12 gas safety document, that is also known as the 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 appliances in a rental property and also details about when they were last tested and their expiry dates. It can help tenants identify issues with their appliances or installations and make sure they know how to contact a Gas Safe Engineer to have them checked.
Landlords are required to provide their current and new tenants with a gas safety report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. The landlord is also required to provide a copy of CP12 at the beginning of the tenure. Landlords who fail to provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate can be prosecuted in accordance with 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 should also arrange for them to be tested each month. The landlord is responsible for repairing the problem if the alarm does not work. The rules for this are applicable to council, private, and housing association landlords, as well as to licensable houses of multiple Occupation (HMOs).
In June 2017, the High Court ruled that it was unlawful for landlords to send Section 21 notices without providing their tenants with an official gas Safety Certificate. The decision was made based on the law that stipulates that landlords with assured shorthold leases must have an approved gas safety certificate for their property prior to when tenants move in.
How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are legally responsible to ensure that the gas safe installation certificate appliances, flues and pipework in their homes are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, 1998 cover this. To comply with the regulations landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks of all gas appliances and flues they provide for use in the property. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate. It must be completed by a certified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
It's also an excellent idea for landlords to consider having a boiler service carried out at the same time as the CP12 inspection, as this will help ensure that all gas appliances are working correctly and safely. Landlords are usually able to get a combined CP12 and boiler service for an affordable cost from a professional gas engineer. They will be able to examine the seals on boiler burners, check the flue system for leaks and cracks cleaning the burner and heat exchanger and conduct general maintenance.
The CP12 document is commonly referred to as the 'landlord gas safety certificate' but it is actually the Gas Safety Record documentation. It outlines the outcomes of all safety inspections and details of any actions or issues 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 essential that the landlords or letting agents permit Gas Safe registered engineers to visit the property to conduct safety checks and for maintenance. It is essential to inform tenants on the importance of permitting gas engineers access to their property and explain that the engineer's presence is necessary to keep them safe from carbon dioxide poisoning. If the tenant is reluctant to let access in, it's the landlord or letting agent's responsibility clarify the legal obligations in writing, and follow with a visit to the property to compel entry if needed.
Tenants should always have a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before letting them in, as this will prove that they are properly qualified to work on the gas systems in your home and is able to complete the gas safety check efficiently and effectively. It's important to keep in mind that the gas engineer is legally allowed to disconnect faulty equipment and cut off your gas supplies when necessary.
