As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances chimneys, flues and chimneys are regularly inspected. You must also give a copy of the report to your tenants.
If the engineer believes that any installation or appliance is immediate danger the engineer will request permission to disconnect gas from the system and recommend the installation of inspection hatches.
What is a Gas Safety Certificate?
A landlord's gas safety certificate is an official document that proves that all gas appliances and flues within the property that is rented were inspected by an experienced gas engineer. Landlords are legally required to conduct a gas safety inspection annually for each rental property they own. Gas Safe registered engineers carry the inspection and ensure that all pipes, appliances and flues comply with safety regulations.
The law also requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the CP12 Gas Safety Certificate, (Gas Safety Record) after each annual inspection and test for gas safety. This should be given to tenants within 28 days following the Gas Safety Inspection and to new tenants at the beginning of their tenancy.
CP12 is an abbreviation of the CORGI Proforma 12 which was employed by the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) before it was replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. The form shows the date of the last gas inspection and test, the results of these, any issues or actions that need to be addressed, as well as the name of the person who performed the check.
The engineer will provide advice on the spot if the Gas Safety Check reveals any issues with the gas appliance. This will include the items that need to be fixed so that it is safe for use. If an appliance is deemed to be immediately dangerous or Abnormally Lethal the gas supply will need to be disconnected until the issue is solved.
It is illegal to a tenant who refuses to let the gas safety check to be carried out. A landlord safety certificate can apply to the courts for an injunction should it be necessary, but it is usually much easier to simply send a strongly written letter stating the reasons why it is crucial that the checks are made and what they'll involve. This should make a tenant more hesitant to allow access and, if not, the landlord might need to consider starting the process of eviction.
How often should I obtain a Gas Safety Certificate?
In the law, landlords and letting agents are required to conduct an annual gas safety inspection on the chimneys and gas appliances that they provide to their tenants. This is to ensure that the appliances are safe to use and to ensure that there aren't gas leaks in the property. This is a vitally important responsibility and landlords should make sure that they get their gas inspections done by a qualified gas engineer.
The Gas Safety Certificate, formerly known as the Gas Safety Check Record, is a legal document that confirms that an engineer has completed a gas inspection in the last 12 months. It is issued to the landlord and must be handed over to the tenant as proof of the security of the gas supply. It is valid for 12 months and needs to be renewed each year.
If a landlord fails to provide their tenants with the Gas Safety Certificate then they are in violation of the law and could be punished by the local authority. It is therefore essential for landlords to ensure that their Gas Safety checks carried out in a timely manner and keep a copy of the documents in the event that a tenant asks for it.
Installing inspection hatches on all gas appliances is a good idea because it lets engineers quickly access the appliances for annual inspections. The engineer will label the appliance as 'at-risk' and may recommend that tenants stop using the boiler until the inspection hatch is installed.
Landlords must also ensure that they give tenants at least 24 hours notice prior to the time they visit the property to carry out Gas Safety checks. This will allow tenants to prepare for the visit and grant permission if needed. If a tenant refuses access to the engineer, the landlord must explain the reason why it is necessary and what will happen should the tenant refuse. If the tenant refuses to allow the engineer entry, the landlord can decide to evict the tenant under section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act.
What happens if I don't get a Gas Safety Certificate?
It is the legal obligation of a landlord to make sure that their property is fitted with an official gas safety certificate that is valid prior to the time tenants move in. In the absence of this, it's an offense that could lead to landlords being punished with severe fines. The regulations also state that a landlord must provide an electronic copy of the gas safety certificate to their tenants upon request.
Landlords must have an gas safety certificate cost Safe registered engineer visit their rental property for an inspection of all gas appliances. During the inspection, a Gas Safe registered engineer will 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 should keep. It contains information on the gas installations of a rented property and also details about when they were last checked and the expiry dates. It can help tenants identify any issues with their appliances or installation and ensure that 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 engineer visiting their property. They must also provide a copy of the CP12 to the tenant on the day their tenancy starts. Landlords that fail to provide the the gas certificate may be prosecuted and could face unlimited fines, or six months in prison.
In the same way, landlords must make sure that their properties have working carbon monoxide alarms. They should also arrange that they be tested each month. If an alarm is not working, the landlord gas safety certificate and boiler service should make the necessary repairs. This is applicable to 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 an official gas safety certificate. The ruling was based on the law that requires landlords with assured shorthold leases to obtain a gas safety certification for their property prior to when tenants move in.
How do I get a Gas Safety Certificate?
Landlords have a legal responsibility to make sure that the gas appliances, flues and pipework within their properties are safe for tenants. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 regulate this. To comply with the regulations, landlords are required to arrange annual gas checks on all the gas appliances and flues they supply for use in the property. This is referred to as a CP12 gas safety certificate. It must be signed by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer after each inspection.
Landlords should also think about performing a boiler inspection at the same time as the CP12 inspection. This will ensure that all gas appliances are operating properly and safely. Gas engineers can provide a combined CP12 inspection and boiler service at a reasonable cost. They will check the seals on boiler burners as well as look for leaks and cracks within the flue system, clean the heat exchanger, and perform general maintenance.
The CP12 is often known as "landlord's gas safety certificate" but it actually is known as the Gas Safety Record Documentation. It includes the results of the safety inspections, and details of any problems or actions that need to be addressed. Landlords must provide their tenants a 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 enter the premises to conduct safety checks and for maintenance. It's a good idea to inform tenants about the importance of allowing access and explain that the gas engineer is there to protect them from carbon monoxide poisoning. If a tenant is hesitant to permit access it's the landlord's or letting agent's responsibility clarify the legal obligations in writing. Then follow with a visit to the property to force entry if needed.
Tenants should always see a Gas Safe ID card from the engineer before they allow them into the home to prove that they're competent to work on the gas systems in your home and can be trusted to complete the gas safety inspection efficiently and efficiently. You should also be aware that a gas engineer is able to legally shut off the malfunctioning equipment or cut off your gas supply if needed.
As a landlord, it's your responsibility to make sure that all gas appliances chimneys, flues and chimneys are regularly inspected. You must also give a copy of the report to your tenants.
