As an owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances, flues and chimneys undergo annual checks. You must also provide a copy to your tenants.
If the engineer believes that any installation or appliance is immediately dangerous, they will request permission to shut off the supply of gas and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A gas safety certificate for landlords is a document that proves that all of the rented property's gas appliances and flues have been inspected by a licensed gas engineer. Landlords are legally required to conduct a gas safety inspection every year for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry out the inspection and check that all pipes, appliances and flues are in compliance with safety standards.
Landlords are also required by law to provide their tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate (Gas Safety Record) following each annual gas safety inspection and test. This should be provided to tenants in the 28 days of the Gas Safety inspection and given to new tenants at the beginning of their tenancy.
CP12 is the abbreviation used for the CORGI Proforma 12 that was employed 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, the results, any actions that need to be taken, as well as the name and the title of the engineer who conducted the inspection.
The engineer will provide advice in the event that the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will include the items that need to be addressed in order to ensure it is safe to use. If an appliance is deemed to be Immediately Dangerous or abnormally lethal, the gas supply must be turned off until the problem is fixed.
If a tenant refuses to allow access for gas safety checks to be completed the tenant is guilty of a criminal offence. A landlord may apply to the courts for an injunction if necessary, however it is usually much easier to send a clearly worded letter explaining the reason why the checks are carried out and what they will entail. This can make a tenant more hesitant to let access in, and if not, the landlord may have to think about starting the process of eviction.
How often do I need to renew my Gas Safety Certificate?
The law requires that landlords and agents for letting are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection of the chimneys and gas appliances they offer 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. This is a crucial obligation and landlords must make sure that they get their gas inspections done by a certified gas engineer.
The gas safety certificate uk Safety Certificate (formerly the Gas Safety Check Record) is a legal document that confirms that an inspection of the gas supply has been completed by a qualified engineer in the last 12 months. It is issued by the landlord and must also be given to the tenant to prove the security of the gas supply. It is valid for a time of 12 months and must be renewed each year.
If a landlord does not provide their tenants with the Gas Safety Certificate then they are breaking the law and could be penalized by the local authority. Gas Safety checks must be carried out by landlords on time. They must also keep a copy of the certificate in the event that tenants request it.
It is also an excellent idea for landlords to install inspection hatches on all gas appliances, so that engineers can easily access them for inspections every year. The engineer will classify the appliance as being at-risk and may recommend that the tenant refrain from using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords are also required to provide their tenants with at least 24 hours' notice before entering the property to conduct Gas Safety Checks. This allows tenants to prepare and ask permission, if required. If a tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer entry the landlord must inform them the reason for the visit and what will happen in the event that they do not comply. If the tenant is unwilling to allow the engineer entry, the landlord could consider evicting the tenant under section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.
What is the consequence if you don't possess a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal obligation of a landlord to ensure that their property is fitted with a gas safety certificate valid prior to the time tenants move in. Failing to do so is an offence that can cause landlords to be punished with severe fines. The regulations also stipulate that landlords must provide an original copy of their gas safety record to their tenants on request.
Gas Safe registered engineers must visit the rental property of the landlord to perform a gas inspection on all gas appliances. During the inspection the engineer will take note of any issues that may pose a risk 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 document that every tenant should be able to access and keep. It contains information on the gas installations in a rented property as well as information regarding when they last checked and the expiry dates. It will help tenants recognize any issues with the appliances or installation and make sure that they know 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 report within 28 days of the date that the engineer visits their property. They must also provide a copy the CP12 to the tenant on the day that their tenancy starts. Landlords who fail to provide an original copy of the gas safety certificate may be prosecuted under the regulations and may be subject to unlimited fines or a six-month imprisonment.
Similarly, landlords must ensure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms. They can also arrange that they be tested every month. If the alarm is not functioning, the landlord gas safety certificate price has to make the necessary repairs. The rules around this apply to council, private, and housing association landlords, as well as to licensable Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
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 certification. The decision was based on the law that requires landlords who have assured shorthold leases to obtain a gas safety certificate for their property prior to the time tenants move in.
How do I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords are required by law to ensure that the gas safe installation certificate appliances, flues and pipework in their properties are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 regulate this. To be in compliance with the regulations, landlords are required to conduct annual gas checks of all gas appliances and flues they provide for use in a property. This is known as a CP12 gas safety certificate and it must be signed by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also think about performing a boiler inspection simultaneously with an CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Gas engineers can provide an integrated CP12 inspection and boiler service and gas safety certificate service at a reasonable cost. They will examine the boiler burner's seals and look for cracks and leaks in the flue system and clean the heat exchanger, and carry out general maintenance.
The CP12 is sometimes referred to by the term "landlord's gas safety certificate", although it is actually called the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It outlines the outcomes of all the safety checks and the details of any actions or issues that require attention. Landlords are required to give their tenants the CP12 document no later than 28 days after the Gas Safety Check is completed.
It is crucial that landlords and letting agents allow Gas Safe registered engineers access to the property to conduct safety inspections and maintenance. It's a good idea to inform tenants of the importance of allowing access and explaining that the gas engineer will ensure they are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If the tenant does not permit access, the landlord or agent must explain the legal obligations in writing. They should then visit the property and force entry if required.
Tenants must always request to see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before letting them in to prove that they are properly qualified to work on the gas systems in your home and are able to complete the gas safety test efficiently and efficiently. It is also important to know that a gas engineer can legally disconnect faulty equipment or cut off your gas supply should it be required.